I’m back with my highlights. Three more episodes to go.

1. Mate poaching

Yiran and her evil sidekick Nana invite Erxi to dinner, expecting Erxi to spill the dirt on Weiwei. When Weiwei accidentally joins them at the table, Yiran and Nana are confused by the excellent camarederie between Erxi and Weiwei. Erxi declares Weiwei to be her best friend, then invites her to eat some of the food that Yiran is generously treating her to.

But Weiwei primly declines, “I’ll pass I won’t eat with you guys today.”

Looking pointedly at Yiran, Weiwei adds for good measure, “After all, not everyone is interested in another person’s food.”

Ouch! She means she doesn’t poach another girl’s boyfriend.

This poor actress’ expression is constantly in a snit.

This is the equivalent of Nai typing, “I am Yixiao Naihe.”

Yiran can’t leave the table fast enough. She’s just like her cousin Shao who logged off quickly after being humiliated with a few key strokes. lol. Both cousins fared badly against the formidable team of Nai and Weiwei.

2. Valentine’s Day Date

Nai and KO work nonstop on their optimization problem, skipping food and sleep. But two days before their demo, they haven’t yet found a solution.

Weiwei signals him to come and eat and Nai simply nods at her and returns to work. She falls asleep at her desk waiting for him.

When she wakes up, he’s finishing up the food she left for him. He invites her to go out him. “Let’s go, let me show you a place.” She’s surprised that they’re heading to the Flower Market which was far. He only replies, “You’ll find out once we get there.

She helps him with his jacket on their way out. The gang asks where they’re going and neither one answers as they quickly depart. They look like prisoners making a getaway.

When they reach the destination (hey, I thought it was a flower market! But it’s just a strip mall?!), there was hardly anybody around.

Nai: Why is there so little people here? (I like it that he can miscalculate things like this, too. He isn’t a Dashen of all things.)
WW: It’d be strange if there were a lot of people.
Nai: Today is Chinese Valentine’s Day.
WW: Chinese Valentine’s Day?
Nai: Yeah, in the past, on Chinese Valentine’s Day, it was very lively here when I went by. (aww… And he probably wanted to be part of it then.) I haven’t taken a stroll with you for the entire summer. I wanted to bring you here and stroll around.
WW: However, only bringing me here now, it’s too insincere, right? (She’s complaining about his sincerity = he’s forgetting his boyfriend’s duties = not sincerely in love with her.)

He scratches his forehead. I think he’s only pretending to be confused; he’s already thought of a suitable comeback.

Nai: But Weiwei, you didn’t bring me here anywhere, and completely forgot about Chinese Valentine’s Day.

H’s saying that her sins are worse than his. She committed a double whammy! He continues:

Nai: You don’t have a single SHRED of sincerity. (An exaggeration but it’s still funny to hear him play the indignant boyfriend.)

WW: I’ve wronged you. I’m asking my dear boyfriend, big people are magnanimous, so forgive me, okay?
Nai: I’ll forgive you unconditionally. There might not be a next time.

They take a quiet stroll around the outlet mall. Lol. If I were Weiwei walking with this handsome guy, I’d probably trip over my own feet and bump posts because I’d be too busy just staring at him.

Nai: Why are you not speaking?
WW: Give your brain a rest. You only slept a little last night, right? And you’re bringing me out, too. Why don’t you go back and have a good sleep?
Nai: I don’t feel tired.
WW: What you mean is…I can order you around to my heart’s content?
Nai: It seems I’ve never been ordered around by you yet. You can try.
WW: It sounds like a threat.

She means that if she does dare to boss him around, he’ll just retaliate.

Nai: It’s an invitation.

Meaning, it’s truly fine with him if she tries to boss her around.

WW: Fine. Since you’re so busy these days, I won’t give you missions.
Nai: (he leans in to whisper) Couple missions?

lol. He’s requesting a couple mission! judging by the way he leans in and whispers softly, I think he’s thinking of something naughty that involves skin, lips and… privacy.

Her reaction: she looks him up and down, her smile disappears, she nudges him, then rolls her eyes.

WW: Did you and KO run into any problems?
Nai: With what we expected to achieve, there’s still a difference.
WW: Houzi Jiu already said it. You guys have already made it very good. You’re just intent on pursuing perfection. (smiling at him) It’s not that I want you to give up, I just think that you don’t have to force yourself. Perhaps if you slow down, become inspired,it’ll be easier to complete.

They smile and he nods at her.

WW: Let’s go.

They hold again and start walking.

WW: I think that, the game right now, would be livelier than reality. Everyone is probably setting off fireworks or something.

He stops to look at a poster with binary numbers.

WW: What is it?
Nai: I got it.
WW: Know what?

And he grabs her hand and runs to a table. He scribbles on the back of the menu and Weiwei goes out on a date…with herself.

He brings her home though, carries her to bed and tucks her in.

I love that Weiwei didn’t blow a gasket that she “lost” Nai in the middle of the Valentine’s Day date. And she was right. He needed a change of pace and atmosphere to get the creative juices flowing again.

3. Clothes Shopping

The following morning, Weiwei finds everybody waiting to see if Nai has solved the optimization problem with the solution he worked on all-night.

Of course, he’s got it and Nai and the guys go off to buy suits for the demo presentation.

The second they walk into the store, the guys (except for Nai and KO) start bickering over who’ll get the best-looking suit and come out the most handsome.

Nai asks if Weiwei wants to go to another store instead without the guys. lol. He senses trouble and wants her out of there.

Weiwei declines and asks for help for KO.

KO docilely follows the three guys and Weiwei, while Nai pinches his nose in anticipation of a headache. I’m sure jealousy matters.

I don’t know whose brilliant idea it was, but they all try on the same suit…as if they’re buying in bulk so they can get wholesale prices. Since their clothes are uniformed, they’ll be judged on looks alone.

Weiwei is surprised that Nai isn’t going to try on a suit.

Nai says he isn’t buying a suit as he already has a lot at home.

The guys ask Weiwei to judge and Nai instantly observes her reaction.

Sensing that none of the boys poses a threat, he leans back and goes back to reading.

But KO walks out of the changing room and everybody’s stunned.

Weiwei can’t help but gush, “KO is handsome.” Now, her reaction makes Nai look at her pensively.

The guys decide to change into different suits. Knowing that they can’t beat KO in appearance, they’ll go for stylish suits instead.

Weiwei begins to confide in Nai. (Big mistake, girl! He’s your boyfriend. Not your girlfriend.)

WW: I didn’t expect that KO would be so handsome in a suit. (Nai looks at her.)

Why are you looking at me?

Nai: I’m comparing to when you first saw me.

I think Netflix worded this awkwardly. I think he meant that he’s looking at her to compare her reaction now to her reaction when she first saw him. And in his opinion, she’s not awe-struck with him anymore. So he stands up and asks for suit in his size.

Weiwei realizes her faux pas.

WW: Uhh. You’re buying one, too?
Nai: (smiles casually at her) Just trying one on.

Don’t worry, Weiwei! He’s only moving the fence an inch because the the apricot tree moved an inch. Apricot Tree

Weiwei quickly gets on the phone to invite Erxi to come over so they can ogle at the handsome boys together. But when Nai comes out of the changing room she quickly changes her mind and decides she doesn’t want her friend ogling at Nai. hahaha.

lol. Her giddy look on her face is funny.

By the way, that apricot tree idiom was also mentioned in a Chinese drama that I’m currently watching. It felt great knowing what it meant.

From “Oh my General!”

4. Meeting the in-laws

Weiwei and Nai return to their apartment to pack their clothes. Nai’s leaving for the airport and Weiwei’ returning to the dorms. Nai doesn’t sound to happy that he can’t accompany Weiwei to register for classes. Weiwei just laughs it off saying that it’ll be terrible if he goes with her. The worst case scenario is he’ll be ambushed and surrounded by fans.

I think Nai’s planning to drop her off at the dorms on his way to the airport but the doorbell rings and Nai’s parents come barging in. Nai’s father is blabbering about his precious collection as his mother makes light of his worries. They freeze in surprise to see Weiwei in the house.

Nai: Why are you guys just standing there? (then addressing Weiwei) Weiwei, go boil some tea.

Nai brings his dad’s collection for inspection. His mom sits quietly in distress. She scolds her husband for being more worried about his paintings than his future daughter-in-law. She goes to Nai.

Mom: Xiao Nai, it’s not that we your parents aren’t open-minded. It’s just that you’re your girlfriend isn’t –
Nai: You guys have thought too much.

hahaha. Of course, he’s going to interrupt his mom before she starts giving him advice on sex and living-in with a “young” girlfriend who’s still in college. I like how his mother tries to NOT to sound critical when she’s in fact going to criticize his action. She’s saying, “We’re really open-minded but…uh.uh.we’re not really THAT open-minded.”

Nai’s mom isn’t a “cool mom.” 

Nai: (continuing) A small problem occurred with the house she’s borrowing. She oved over and stayed her for a few days.
Mom: What about you?

See that all important question? She wants to know the SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS.

Nai: For the past few days, I’ve constantly slept at the company. I just returned. Tonight, I’m going to fly to Shanghai and participate in Feng Teng Technologies’ demo presentation meeting. Weiwei’s also moving back to the dorms, so she’s organizing her luggage.
Mom: (repeats herself) It’s not like us parents aren’t open-minded. It’s just…
Dad: Hey, hey. Are you supportive or not?

His parents start to argue with each other so Nai tells them he’ll be in the kitchen when they have reached an agreement. For Nai, however, it’s like getting out of the frying pan and into the fire because Weiwei’s waiting for him in the kitchen, more frazzled than his parents about being caught in his apartment. She’s worried that she’d made the wrong impression with his parents.

WW: Could Professor Xiao and Professor Lin believe that I’m one of those promiscuous girls?
Nai: Normally, they’ll only think that I’m the depraved one. However, just in case, you can act as the victim.

WW: I already thought about that. However, I ate boxed meals with you guys everyday and grew a lot fatter. With this glow on my face, how do I look like a victim?
Nai: You mean… if you didn’t get fat, you’d really pretend to be a victim??

Nai’s surprised that she’d actually betray him.

WW: Of course! That’s a must! To a mo— (she stopped herself from saying “mother-in-law”) Making a good first impression on others is so important.

Nai: Don’t worry. It’s already been clearly explained. Quickly go serve tea to your mother-in-law. (teasing her on her slip-of-the-tongue or Freudian slip.)

Weiwei has no comeback to that.

Nai teases her further. He whispers, “Go quickly!” as if to scare her into thinking that her future mother-in-law is the scary type.

She clenches in annoyance, “I know!” She looks cute, like an angry squirrel.

He smiles.

I would find the situation funny, too. His mom wants Weiwei to be an innocent girl. And Weiwei wants his mom to know that she is indeed an innocent girl. There had been no hanky-panky going on because Nai was a gentleman and Weiwei, a prude.

edited because I found gifs!

And this is during their practice.

5. Tea with the parents

Weiwei offers tea to Nai’s parents like a daughter-in-law. His mother invites her to have a seat. The dad starts the awkward get-together complimenting her finals. She thanks him.

WW: Because a small problem has occurred with the house my dorm roommate lent me, I temporarily lived here for a few days.
Mom: Xiao Nai already told us, don’t worry. Your department dean lives right next door to us, and he has already praised you. We know that you’re a good girl. It’s not like we parents aren’t open-minded (lol! There she goes again with being “open-minded.” Is this the third time she’s mentioned that? It tells me she is NOT open-minded and is actually “old-fashioned” about this.)

Weiwei anxiously grips Nai’s hand behind her.

Nai: Mom, Weiwei is going to school, I don’t have time to take her there. When you guys are going back, take her with you.

And he gives her hand to his mom.

Nai’s mom: That’s not a problem.

But Weiwei grabs his wrist with her other hand.

Her grip is strong.

Weiwei: No no no no. Don’t need to trouble you, really.
Mom: That’s fine.

Nai smiles and shakes hands with her. The look of her face is priceless though.

6. Escorted by the parents-in-law 

So, Nai’s parents end up bringing her to the dorm. Students on campus instantly notice this and word gets around that Bei Weiwei met Xiao Nai’s parents, and that they’re even escorting her to school. “I’ve seen lots of people showing off their love, but there are those people who show off their in-laws?”

Nai’s dad wants to carry the suitcase all the way in. But Weiwei tells them that her friends will be down in any minute. Mom invites her to come over to their house. “Once Xiao Nai gets back, come to our house often to eat meals.”

Here, when the subs say, “Don’t be polite,” I think the better idiomatic expression is “Don’t stand on ceremony.” For instance, when somebody wants to stick to formalities and protocols, I’ll say, “Please we’re informal around here. Don’t stand on ceremony.” Nai’s mom probably doesn’t want Weiwei to be intimidated with formalities and protocols of being her son’s girlfriends.

Of course, Weiwei’s girlfriends are all shocked that Nai’s parents brought her back which I think was Nai’s “evil” plan all along. Remember when they were packing clothes and Nai was disappointed that he couldn’t bring her to school?

Weiwei brushed it all off, saying that she didn’t want him going back with her to the university because he would only cause a stir on campus.

Nai gave her a long look after she left….

To me, he was most likely thinking of a way to be at two places at one time:  to be in Shanghai for the conference AND be “in spirit” with Weiwei at school. It’s reasonable to assume that he wanted to bring her to school because he wanted others to know that Weiwei’s his girlfriend. He’s kinda possessive that way. 

His parents’ arrival was fortuitous for him then.

It was like killing two birds with one stone. To be seen being accompanied back to the dorms with Nai’s parents achieved two things. First, it advertised to the whole nosy student body that Nai’s parents approved of Weiwei. Second, it accomplished Nai’s goal of causing a stir. As it turned out, he didn’t need to go with her to create a commotion. His parents were his proxy “crowd stirrers.”

So, when she said, “It’ll be terrible if you go with me,”

she didn’t think that there was something even MORE terrible than Nai going with her to school. What’s scarier is Nai’s’ PARENTS bringing her to school. hahaha.

That’s why he’s smirking here.

Well-played, Xiao Nai. Well-played indeed.

7. Phone chat

Back in her room, Weiwei chats with Nai on the phone. “Hello? Have you arrived? It was pretty quick today. There are no problems? Shanghai also has a traffic jam? Okay then. I won’t bother you. Rest early. Bye bye!”

There’s nothing lovey-dovey about it but Xiaoling clears her throat and mimics her on the phone. “Rest early. Okay, bye bye!.” She makes fun of her, “Wow you’re so sweet.”

Weiwei laughs and points out that Xiaoling and her boyfriend have been sweet for the past two years so now it’s her turn.

She’s too nice. If I were her, I would have reminded Xiaoling that I was just following her advice. Remember this?

Thus, the story came full circle. Before the beginning of the summer, Xiaoling was commenting that Nai should have bought her a phone but Weiwei didn’t like the idea of Nai getting her one simply because she was THE girl.

Well, she did purchase her own cellphone, but the rest Nai bought for her.

Contrary to Xiaoling’s assessment, he was a THOUGHTFUL boyfriend after all. Nai got her the airplane ticket back to the city, and not only housed her in his apartment but also fed her. She also “eloped” with him, hired her to intern for him, and met his parents. It was a hectic summer for Weiwei.

Have to work on Episode 28 next.