Okay, who hasn’t started watching this? Come on now!

I said this is an entertaining show and I’ll be blogging about this. You don’t want to miss my riveting posts, do you?

lol.

So far, Episode 7 is my favorite one. The plot zips along, with lots of unexpected twists. Kudos to the writer for the New-Year’s-Eve-cum-Meet-the-Parents dinner. And bravo to the actor playing Shangyan. I’ve never seen an actor use a single scowl to express so many nuances and level of annoyance. hahaha.

My favorite scenes:

1. Nian Nian is a genius.

haha. She’s a computer whiz but viewers tend to overlook her genius, partly because they don’t understand what she’s doing, and partly because some scene happen in the blink of an eye. Compared with the CTF scenes which involve glitzy lights and jazzy staging, her computer scenes are low-key.

So, I’ll try to make it a point to keep tabs of her accomplishments, okay?

For example, in this episode, her screensaver is brilliant. Did you see this?

She programmed a screensaver that replayed the sarcastic words that Han Shangyan uttered to her at their last encounter.

He said, “Little girl, your information is off the mark. Didn’t you say that you like me? How come you don’t even know I’m single and uninterested in women?”

She remembered everything he told her, but she didn’t include the funny part where he added, “Oh right. It’s not only women. I’m not interested in men, either.”

Really, how many girls would code the words of rejection and save them on her laptop? Nian’s strong to handle the truth.

2. Meeting her parents

This is the complete reversal of the typical scene in dramas when the guy meets the girl’s parents for the first time and impresses them. In this cdrama, the exact opposite occurs.

Shangyan bungles it. He bombs their meeting for a lot of reasons:

1) He doesn’t know he’s attending a “marriage meeting” arranged by his busybody grandpa
2) He hates going on these arranged dates. (But who doesn’t?)
3) He isn’t dressed right – refer to reason #1 – and he comes dressed in black (like an assassin).
4) More than anything, he detests being coerced by his grandpa. So in petty retaliation, he plans “Obstruction.”
5) Nian’s cousin knows beforehand that it’s an “Interest meeting,” so she intends to butter up his grandpa. Meanwhile, he intends to rebuff her every step of the way and turn her off.

For instance, when he hears that she’s making tea for his grandpa, he rolls his eyes. Can you imagine if he’s caught rolling eyes at his hosts? lol.

6) He’s extra unfriendly and distant. He’s curt. He refuses to shake the Cousin’s hand until he’s prodded by his grandpa.

See that? He wants to sabotage this matchmaking so he puts his best foot worst foot forward to make an unfavorable first impression of his grandpa’s long-time friends.

Unfortunately for him, Nian is the daughter of the house and the people he plotted to offend are her parents and relatives.

He can’t believe it when she walks in the room with her cousin, Dounan.

She’s surprised, too so she shies away from the door (like a horse seeing a rattlesnake) and backs out of the room.

He goes after her and they have this weird telepathic conversation at the foot of the stairs.

SY: This is your home?
Nian: Yes…what a coincidence, right?

When her mom follows Nian to scold her for not being dressed properly to receive guests, he covers up for Nian by asking where the restroom is.

Once she’s gone, he returns to his anti-social self.

When she returns, she pretends to be strangers but he eyes her suspiciously again. Obviously, he’s annoyed that she’s not acknowledging his presence.

But can you blame the girl? At their last meeting, he told her there was no need to see each other again.

From Episode 5:

His grandfather gets this brilliant idea to match Nian to his cousin, Wu Bai, and he pretends indifference.

Grandpa: Say, do you think Nian and Little Bai will make a good match?
SY: I don’t know. If you think they’re a good match, then it’s a good match.
Grandpa: Tsk. Hey, give him a call. He can’t be late for the New Year’s Eve dinner.
SY: Got it.

It’s actually reverse psychology. If he protested, his grandpa would insist that it was a good match. But since he approves of it, his grandpa feels bummed out…as if Shangyan has stolen his thunder.

But as Shangyan passes by Nian to call Bai, he throws her a scowling face.

Then, as if that isn’t enough, he stops at the door and scowls at her again.

I laughed at this camera shot because the sign behind him said “Happiness” but his face looked anything but happy. Nice one, director!

3. The drive to the restaurant

I like this scene and you should, too.

Nian is obviously upset to find out that he’s agreed to a “matchmaking” when he plainly told her that he had no plans to date. If I were Nian, I would have an existential crisis… what am I, chopped liver?? 

In Episode 5, he told her, “To be frank, I’ve no plans to date.”

He had no inclination to date because his K&K kids, their dreams and futures are in my hands. All just for the thought that one day, they can bear our country’s flag as world champions. Prove to their parents that their choices weren’t wrong. Therefore, I don’t have time or energy to deal with anybody outside of K&K.”

Shangyan: Understood?”
Nian: Yes.
Shangyan: You can go.
Nian: Okay. See you again!
Shangyan: No need to see you again. We probably won’t meet again in the future.

That time, in Episode 5, Nian accepted his rejection as final. She simply nodded and waved goodbye.  “Just like that, my first love ended with a failure at the Guangzhou Sports Stadium.”

So naturally, she doesn’t understand why he’s there at her house for a matchmaking session with her cousin after he rejected her. She’s down in the dumps because she thinks she’s definitely chopped liver in his eyes.

Mom: Nian Nian, I’m giving you a task. We’re trying to matchmake your cousin with that big brother over there. Later on, you sit in their car and listen to what they are saying and act accordingly, got it?
Nian: Matchmaking?!
Mom: Yes. What’s the matter?

Mom tells Dounan to ride with Nian and his sister. Shangyan observes them from his jeep, and I’m sure he’s already deduced the seating plan. He quickly removes his jacket and puts it on the side passenger to block anybody from sitting beside him.

Meanwhile, Nian stubbornly refuses to ride with Shangyan. I think he knows exactly why she’s kicking up a fuss about getting in his vehicle because he sighs.

Nian: I don’t want to sit in that car.
Mom: Why? Then what? You’re going to take a taxi there?
Nian: I’ll just take a taxi there.
Cousin: Why are you taking a taxi? This is also my first time meeting him. Later on, if there’s an awkward silence, we can still chat with each other. Otherwise, it’ll be so awkward.

The mom and the Cousin are clueless. But they press Nian to ride with Shangyan. She berates herself, “Didn’t he say that he didn’t have any plans to get a girlfriend?…Fool! How is he not planning to have a girlfriend? It’s obvious that he just doesn’t want to deal with you.”

She gets in the back of the jeep with Dounan, without speaking to Shanyang. The Cousin opens the front side passenger door.

Cousin: Err.. Excuse me. Your jacket?

Shangyan doesn’t respond and doesn’t remove jacket, lol, to clear a space for her.

Cousin: (sighs and goes to the back) Move over! (complaining) Can you believe this? I’ve gone to matchmaking so many times, met so many men, but this is the one with the worst manners.

Uhhh…. Lady, you shouldn’t be bragging about the number of times you’ve been to matchmaking sessions. It makes you look a) desperate, b) unwanted and c) passed over.

Shangyan: (ignoring her) Sit tight.
Cousin: I think we’re all adults. It would be better if we were more frank. Okay, I’ll introduce myself first. I’m in marketing. Mainly in charge of brand management. What do you do?
Shangyan: I don’t have a decent job.
Cousin: But you must have a profession. I heard Aunt saying that you’re starting your own business.
Shangyan: Profession? Does playing on the computer count?

He’s deliberately downplaying his skills so the Cousin will show her intolerance and give up on him. The Cousin takes the bait.

Cousin: So, you’re someone with no real job who lives off his parents. I see.
Nian: (defending him) Actually…actually his work is a respectable profession.
Cousin: Playing on the computer can count as a respectable profession?
Nian: They’re cyber-security talents. They even win medals at competitions. It’s a new area that’s encouraged by the government. And if they win, they can earn prize money. A lot of prize money. But they don’t do it just for the money. They do it for the honor.

Shangyan looks surprised that Nian knows about his line of work.

Nian: (continuing) Actually in China, a lot of internet technologies are at the forefront. They receive a lot of medals.
Cousin: Well, there can’t be people who spend their whole life playing on the computer.

Shangyan suddenly stops the car.

Shangyan: (addressing the Cousin) I think it’ll be better if we make things clear. I don’t have any interest in you. In the future, I, for sure, will have no interest in you either. Of course, you’ve no interest in people like me as well. We’re all grown adults here. (he’s being sarcastic as he reminds the Cousin of her haughty words.) Let’s cooperate with our elders and finish this meal. What do you think?

Without waiting for an answer, he turns to Nian.

Shangyan: Also, you don’t need to act like you don’t know me. (in an annoyed voice) Are you not tired from acting?

The Cousin is shocked that they knew each other. Nian enlightens her about their meeting at the internet café. Upon reaching the restaurant, both siblings leave Shangyan and Nian to talk alone.

Shangyan: Why aren’t you going in?
Nian: I saw that they already went in. I wanted to wait for you. This way is more courteous.

He’s about to walk off, too, but he decides to clear the air with her. He says, “I’m not interested in your cousin. It would be best if she doesn’t develop an interest in me. So what you said in the car, is actually helping me in the wrong way.”

He means it’s counterproductive to make him look attractive to her cousin when he had no interest in her.

He adds, “I don’t need an outsider to understand what my profession is like. Especially someone who I’ll not have contact with, in the future. Therefore, there’s no need to explain anything to her. Do you understand?”

I like this whole moment because:

a) he knew, without her saying a word, that she thought he LIED to her about not having the time or energy to date. To me, he was reassuring her (and he didn’t need to) that it was purely accidental that he’s on this “matchmaking” with her Cousin.

And b) he cut off any entanglement with her Cousin, quickly and coldly. His behavior with her Cousin was UNLIKE the way he tolerated her tagging along and hovering around him in the tournament. Although she was troublesome at that time, he allowed her to stay with him.

He also says, “Also, the reason why I exposed the fact that we knew each other is not to make you look bad. It’s because this is a lie that cannot go on. My cousin is coming soon. He knows you. Plus, he would definitely be honest. So, there’s no reason for us to pretend that we’re strangers.”

This is interesting. I’ll discuss this shortly.

However, the sweetest thing he did for her comes last.

Shangyan: … So, there’s no reason for us to pretend that we’re strangers. (See? He minded that she ignored him earlier.) Do you understand?

 

lol. Last time, he had asked her if she understood was in Episode 5, when he said, “Therefore, I don’t have time or energy to deal with anybody outside of K&K. Do you understand?

Nian: I understand. We’re not strangers.
Shangyan: Are you feeling better inside?

Awwww. This is swoonworthy. He knows she was feeling like chopped liver earlier, and he’s reassuring her. Mind you, his scowl is still there even when he’s being kind.

Nian: Mmm.
Shangyan: Then let’s go in.

4. The pièce de resistance: the dinner

Never have so many misunderstandings made me laugh so hard. I know I shouldn’t laugh because Shangyan is bound to be served the karma he deserved for his rudeness. He’ll regret not showing his best in front of her parents.

Here’s the conversation. I thought it was brilliant writing. There were nine people at that New Year’s Eve dinner,  and every one of them contributed to the confusion. Note how their characters (or personality-types) are revealed by the way they influenced the discussion.

***
Wu Bai arrives at the dinner.

Grandpa introduces him to Tong family.

Grandpa: This is “Little Bai.” This is my grandson from my daughter. (This bothered me a little: Han Shangyan is his grandson from his son, so HSY is regarded as “more important” or the “direct” line. I resent that being the only daughter. lol.)

Nian’s family fusses over him because he’s supposed to be a good match for Nian. “Oh! so this is who you were talking about.” “Wow. he’s grown so much.”

Nian’s aunt: So handsome! Do you have a girlfriend?” (Eeeks! How nosy!)
Grandpa: Not yet. We were waiting for you to introduce him to someone.

Wu Bai frowns. I don’t think he likes the direction of this conversation. Nian enters the room and Wu Bai eyes her suspiciously. He knows something’s up. The elders keep on talking in the background so he goes to Shangyan and asks him what’s going on.

Shangyan: Her? (meaning Nian)
Bai: What’s the girl who likes you doing here?
Shangyan: We’re family friends. Grandpa wants to match you up with her.

In the background, the grandpa is heard talking to the Nian’s cousin. He seems to be excusing Shangyan’s rudeness. “You’re already a grown woman…blahblah…his temper isn’t good.”

Bai: Are you kidding?
SY: I already told you. When Grandpa comes home to visit, nothing good will come of it.
Bai: Well…even if there was a match to be arranged, it’s for you. What does this have to do with me?
SY: I did get matched. (hahaha. You should hear his tone of voice here.) It was quickly taken care of.

lol. What he meant was he had been SNEAKY. He was matched alright but he made himself so obnoxious that the girl couldn’t wait to ditch him. He thinks his plan to disrupt his grandpa’s match-making was 100% successful.

SY: (continuing) It’s your problem. Take care of it on your own. I can’t help you.

Bai sighs. Grandpa calls Nian to his side.

Grandpa: Nian Nian, come over here. I forgot to introduce you earlier. This is my grandson, Wu Bai. This is Nian Nian.

Notice how Nian is looking at Shangyan but he ignores her.  Her parents are excited for her. Bai is obviously a crowd-pleaser, the type of guy that is brought home to show the parents.

Grandpa: Your parents saw him when he was still little. Go, go! You two go sit over there! (sitting then side by side) You two, talk more. My grandson is also studying computers.
Mom: Yeah, Nian Nian, you two are in the same major. You guys must have a lot to talk about.

lol. That doesn’t work that way, MOOOOm! Just because they have wi-fi, doesn’t mean they’ll have fast connection.

Grandpa: Talk to her.
Bai: (finally speaking up) I know her.

He drops a bombshell. Everybody has different reactions. Nian’s eyes widen in shock. The aunt expresses what’s in everybody’s mind, “You two know each other?” Shangyan glances at him fiercely. He wasn’t expecting this dramatic turn of event. Or was he? 

Bai: I think she is…(pause)

Shangyan moves his head slightly. If looks can slay, Bai’s already dead-on-arrival. I’m sure he already knows what Bai’s going to say next.

Bai: (continuing) my brother’s girlfriend.

Nian gasps at Shangyan. Everybody, too, looks at him. He looks back at them, then he gets to his feet to protest.

Shangyan: Little Bai, what nonsense are you saying? (pointing angrily at Bai)

Hmmm…The thought did enter my mind that Shangyan could have set this up.  I’ll explain later.

Grandpa: (pointing at him to be quiet) Wait, no no. Stop, stop. (looking at Bai) I’ll not listen to him. I want to hear from you. Little Bai, you tell us.
Bai: I don’t know the details, but all our club members call her “sister-in-law.”

Pwahahaha. Who knew that the small misunderstanding at the tournament would be used against him? Shangyan didn’t see the need to clear the confusion earlier because they weren’t going to see each other again anyway. ????

Cousin: Sister-in-law?

Shangyan clears his throat. The cousin is probably upset too because she’s made to feel foolish and a second-hand good. She feels superior to Nian who’s younger than her.

Nian: No, no.

Bai and Shangyan exchange glances. Shangyan’s eyes narrow angrily. I think he’s angry at Bai because for exposing Nian and making her the center of her family’s censure.

Cousin (or was it the Aunt): Nian Nian, aren’t you going to explain what’s going on?

He’s scowling at Bai but he remains quiet.

Bai just stares back at him like he’s asking what Shangyan’s next move will be.

Mom: Nian Nian, come here. Come here!

She says this sternly. Dad just looks at his wife. Nian walks over to her side. It’s clear that the wife has a BIG say in this. Not the dad.

What’s going on? Why do you suddenly have a boyfriend that we don’t even know of?

Note: she disapproves because Nian kept a secret from them. That’s fair. She thought that she and her daughter had a close and trusting relationship so finding this all out from a stranger would have been a shocker and a blow to her. Later on, she’ll voice her disapproval of their age different.

Nian: (fretfully) I don’t know either. He really isn’t. That’s not the situation.
Mom: Explain it clearly.

Shangyan: (stepping in) Auntie, you might as well listen to me explain.

See here. He steps up once Nian is harassed. He takes responsibility when things become difficult for her.

I notice that Shangyan doesn’t like Nian being troubled. His protective instincts for her are triggered whenever she’s in distressed and, unconsciously, he gets involved to minimize her unhappiness. Remember: that’s one of the reasons he didn’t insist on her clarifying the “sister-in-law” confusion with his K&K team. She was already embarrassed by her actions, and he didn’t want anxious in front of the guys when he didn’t intend to see her again anyway.

Grandpa: Don’t talk. You shut up. If you say more, I’ll break your legs.

Geesh! He’s 30 years old! Why can’t he speak for himself?

Cousin: Grandpa, please don’t be mad. Nian Nian also feels wronged. Do you know what’s going on in the middle of all this?

NOOOO. Nian doesn’t feel wrong. This cousin should butt out. She’s redirecting HER own feelings of being slighted and snubbed by Shangyan toward Nian.

Aunt (or cousin’s mom): Dounan, when did your sister get a boyfriend? (Dounan is actually the cousin of Nian. Dounan and the cousin are siblings. But Nian is addressed as sister as well.)
Dounan: I don’t know the specifics…but my sis (meaning Nian) does like him.

hahahaha. The hole keeps on getting deeper.

Nian: You’re saying nonsense!

I love it how both Bai and Dounan got their cousins, Shangyan and Nian respectively, in deep doodoo with the same half-truths. They started off with “I don’t really know the whole truth BUT….” And both Shangyan and Nian responded with “Nonsense!”

Dounan: I’m speaking the truth. Didn’t you fall in love with him at first sight?

pwahahahaha. I’m loving the murderous look on Shangyan’s face. He knows that Dounan should be quiet because he’s digging a hole…for Nian.

The problem with Dounan is he doesn’t know when to hold his tongue. Common sense should have told him to keep these things secret at they won’t make Nian look good.

Nian: Stop talking about it, will you?
Aunt: Dounan!
Dounan: However, I really don’t know when they got so close. I supposed it was when they were in Guangzhou.
Nian: You shut up!
Aunt: That’s enough. Why don’t you sit down?

He doesn’t like the Aunt. I think it’s dawning on Shangyan that there’s only one way to solve this. The Aunt, after ordering her son to sit down, now stands up herself.

Aunt: (trying to be magnanimous) Our family is open-minded. Dating is not a bad thing. Little Han, isn’t it better to be open? Am I right, brother? (she’s talking to Nian’s dad. They’re siblings.)

He doesn’t like the Aunt involving herself in this and condescendingly calling him “Little Han.”  He’s probably thinking, “Who’s she to lecture me?” But he simply frowns and bears it.

Nian: Aunt, you guys really all misunderstood. He and I aren’t really –
Mom: Please do not interrupt when grown-ups are speaking.

Phew! I dodged a bullet here. I would have been the most insolent and outspoken brat raised in a household like this.

Dad: Okay, okay, okay. (calming everybody down) Grandpa Han, it’s fine. We’re all grown adults. Not kids. Little Han, let’s just consider this our formal meeting.

Like what??? What the heck did he mean by formal meeting? I hope he didn’t mean an engagement dinner because the two “kids” aren’t even dating in reality.

“Well! That escalated quickly.”

Joking aside, the dad was the most reasonable here. And tolerant. He accepts Shangyan, despite his horns, fangs, and his devil’s tails. Hahaha.

Dad: (continuing) If you have time, come visit us often, alright?
Mom: (interrupting him. Ha!) Let me tell you. Mr. Han is very busy. So don’t trouble him, okay? (warning her husband and giving her husband THE look)

Woof! The mom’s displeasure is clear. Shangyan is no longer addressed as “Little Han” but “Mr. Han.” And she presumes that he’s unable to visit.  “He’s busy” is codespeak for “He should NOT visit us.” and “He’s UNWELCOME at our house.”

Dad: (grunting) Uh-huh.
Aunt: Actually, this should have been made clear early on. Explain everything so that we all aren’t wasting our efforts. (she’s still annoyed that she dragged her own daughter for the arranged meeting.) Isn’t that so, Uncle Han?
Grandpa: Right. Go give greetings to Uncle and Auntie. Let’s just say that this is the first official introduction. (Shanggyan doesn’t look keen about this. See his frown?) Go over and give your greetings!

On a sidenote: Even after watching these kdramas and cdramas, to hear boyfriends and girlfriends call the parents of their partners “Uncle” and “Auntie” still gives me goosebumps. My sons’ girlfriends address us formally. The first time they’re introduced, they usually use the titles. (haha. My husband is Dr. X but I go by “Your Royal Highness.”) After we get to know the girl, we’re fine with just Mr. X and Mrs. X. But I don’t mind if they call us by our first names when they marry into the family. I won’t be surprised though if my son’s Korean-American girlfriend opts for more familial terms like “Mom” and “Dad.”

Shangyan stares at his grandpa. Inwardly, he’s assessing the situation, “Old people are old. If I do defy him, who knows what will happen? And it’s New Year’s Eve. The elders here all think that I’ve taken advantage of a young lady. And not admitting to it.

Grandpa: Go!!

Still frowning, he walks over to Nian and her parents.

I’m really having fun taking screenshots of Shangyan’s scowling face.

Shangyan: Uncle. Auntie. Hello. I’m Han Shangyan. Tong Nian and I have been together for only a brief period of time. I didn’t get her permission so I didn’t dare pay a visit rashly. I hope Uncle and Auntie can forgive me.

He offers a handshake. The mom turns away but the father shakes his hand.

Dad: Okay. We forgive you. It’s fine.

5. But…but…but Wu Bai is an honest person, remember?

After this they take their seats around the table and start to eat. Shangyan takes Bai outside the room to scold him but Dounan gets them to return… on Grandpa’s order. As to be expected, Shangyan is curt with him so Dounan leaves them, grumbling, “That temper! It’s really too much for Little Squid.”

Anyway, this short scene interests me because I think Shangyan is protesting too much. He blames Bai when he should have expected Bai to spill the beans because Bai’s an honest person. He said so earlier.

Shangyan: Do you want to live anymore?
Bai: Who told you to sit down and just watch the show?
Shangyan: If the room weren’t filled with outsiders, I’d have started a fight with you.

Well… Bai did ask for your help first but Shangyan told him to deal with his problem himself. That’s provocation. Like waving a red flag to a bull.

Bai: Didn’t you accept it?
Shangyan: Bull, how could I not? It’s New Year’s Eve. Grandpa is getting old. If something had happened, would you’ve taken responsibility then?

lol. He’s coming out with rationalizations so fast. And I call BS on worrying about his grandpa’s age. He’s fine with aggravating his grandpa.

Shangyan: Well, it’s Grandpa, too. He refused to believe anyone but a liar like you.

lol. He distinctly told Nian that Bai is an honest guy. “It’s because this is a lie that cannot go on. My cousin is coming soon. He knows you. Plus, he would definitely be honest. So, there’s no reason for us to pretend that we’re strangers.”

Shangyan: Just this once. I won’t let it go next time. You hear me?

Bai just rolls his eyes. I think Bai understands that his bark is worst that his bite.

6. Finally, the mistakes

The grandpa is trying to convince the mom that Shangyan is a good deal. “Those who are older tend to spoil their wives more. You see, our Little Han, although he’s always got a sour face, he’s actually very responsible. And also, you see, Little Han’s birthday is on February 14. Nian Nian is March 20. Look how close they are.”

lol. The grandpa’s doing funny calendar math. February 14 is close to March 20, if the 10 year gap between them is ignored.

The mom doesn’t reply, indicating that she thinks she’s being sold a lemon car, that is a defective man for her precious only child.

When Shangyan and Bai return, the grandpa rearranges their seating arrangement. He orders Shangyan to sit next to Nian Nian, like he’s a puppy.

The parents notice that he’s reluctant to sit beside Nian.

Of course, they aren’t happy. Mistake #1.

Nian writes on her cellphone and shows it Shangyan. She writes, “Why did you tell a lie?”

Discreetly, Shangyan tells her, “My cousin has a girl that he likes. So, he asked me to help him avoid this matchmaking at all costs. It was a sticky situation. We had no other choice but to use this method.”

He’s being disingenuous here. Bai may or may not have a girl he likes. But the truth is Bai DID ask him for help to get him out of the match, and Shangyan declined to help him. Remember?

To me, Shangyan forced Bai to reveal that Nian’s his girlfriend.

First, Shangyan didn’t give him any choice. It was either him or Bai ending up with Nian. Naturally, Bai protected his own skin first. Second, Shangyan knew his grandpa would believe Bai over him because Bai is the “honest” kid. Third, Shangyan anticipated Bai to be truthful. Since Bai knew about Nian’s “Sister-in-law” moniker, Shangyan shouldn’t have been surprised that Bai disclosed that to everybody.

And fourth, as Bai pointed out, if Shangyan really wanted to get out of the matchup, he would have contrived of a way…just like he did with the Cousin.

And that’s why I think Shangyan had a hand in this. He set it up.

Shangyan: After tonight, we can randomly find a reason to break up. (he lists the possible reasons) Not considerate, not gentle. Not sharing a similar language to understand each other. Too old. Those are all valid reasons. You can choose the reason for the breakup.
Nian: Oh (meaning Okay).
Shangyan: Sorry.
Nian: It’s fine. It’s for helping him, isn’t it?
Grandpa: Han Shangyan, serve your girlfriend some food.
Nian: It’s fine, Grandpa Han. It’s okay.

The parents hear her making excuses for Shangyan’s inattentive behavior. Mistake #2.

They probably think that he’s not going to take very good care of their daughter. The mom knows that Shangyan is only being forced into this.

Shangyan stands up and stabs his chopstick into a dish of – I don’t know, something that’s fried solid, lol.

He keeps on loading food on to her plate. Bai snickers because he knows Shangyan’s rebelling at their grandpa’s bossiness. The aunt and Dounan however are shocked. Nian says she can’t eat that much. But he says, “Eat it slowly. You’ll eventually finish it.” Mistake #3. And the parents see that, too.

Mistake #4. Her drink.

He tops up her glass because his grandpa orders him too to hurry up and give her a drink. She says, “Enough.” He tells her to drink it slowly (she has no choice. She has to drink it slowly if she doesn’t want it to spill. lol)

Then as he returns the pitcher, he glares at his grandpa as if daring him to order him to do more for Nian.

To annoy his grandpa one last time, he casually orders Bai to wrap up food because there’s a “young one” at home. Nian’s family jumps to conclusion and thinks that he’s divorced with a child. The grandpa hurriedly explains that it’s one of his players staying at his home over the holidays. The parents of Nian don’t look happy about this. They probably think that he’s hanging out with homeless people. lol. Mistake #5.

See? That’s one I liked this whole dinner meeting. In one strike, the writer is able to show the dynamics of both families, and Shangyang’s major hurdle in the future.

There’s no doubt that he messed up his first impression, big time, so he must grovel and work darn hard to rebuild his favorability rating with his future mother-in-law.

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Okay, there are more highlights in this episode but I’m done.