The Way We Were (归去来)

Qing'er, I'm doing well and recovering.

If I keep at it, things will keep getting better.

You can just stay there. Don't come back! If we miss you, we'll fly over to visit.

Just focus on getting an internship. I support you!

Dad, I'm not sure what I want yet, and I'm still unclear about the future.

I want to experience everything that can be experienced.

Okay.

No matter what you decide, as long as you've thought it through...

I'll support you, okay?

That's what we were waiting for you to say.

All right, Qing'er. Do your best! You can do it!

Thanks Dad! Thanks Mom!

- You're not going back to China then? - Yeah.

I have to wait for interviews, the law firms, and take care of you.

Tonight at dinner, you said you wanted to help Shu Che find a job.

Shu Che is Cheng Ran's sister's ex-boyfriend, right?

Yeah.

You seem to care a lot for this person.

What do you mean?

Nothing, I just meant that you're really good to him.

We're just friends. I'm just helping him out as a friend.

Okay, I'm going to bed. Night!

Come in!

- Professor? - Xiao!

You wanted to see me?

Please sit down.

Did you recently send your resume to the MTA law firm?

Yes, I've been waiting for their reply.

Last week, I saw Thompson, who is one of their three partners.

He was my student ten years ago.

Would you please write a letter of recommendation for me?

It's because you just told me.

Remember, Xiao. When you're looking for jobs in America...

you have to march forward courageously and be fierce.

Thompson told me that in recent years...

their law firm has taken many cases

related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Most of the illegalities have taken place outside the U.S.

and most of the overseas companies are based in China.

so they're in urgent need of a paralegal or an intern

who has a deep understanding of China's national conditions

and who is fluent in Chinese and English.

- Me! I can do it. - Yes, I think so.

So, I've personally recommended you to Thompson.

And the reason that I called you here today...

is so I can give you this letter of recommendation.

Thank you so much, Professor Anderson.

And one more thing I want to disclose to you ahead of time...

Because you scored greater than a 3.5 GPA in all your classes...

The scholarship committee has decided to approve your application

for a scholarship, which will be awarded next year.

Are you playing Santa today?

God sees his children that work hard. Congratulations, Xiao Qing.

- Thank you, Professor! - You're welcome.

- Goodbye, Professor. - Bye bye.

Bye.

Hello.

Mr. Thompson, how can I help you?

Okay.

Okay, got it. Give me the address please.

Okay, got it.

Ms. Xiao, I'm sorry.

Mr. Thompson cannot make it because he got delayed by a talk.

He only has ten minutes to talk with you because he needs to go to the airport.

I need you to get there as soon as possible.

No problem. What's the address?

- This is the address. - Okay.

- And can you do me a favor? - Sure.

I need you to give this to him. He has to take it to China.

- Okay. - Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

Hello, Mr. Thompson! I'm here.

Ms. Xiao, I apologize. I've been delayed and have to get straight to the airport.

- I can't meet with you today. - Really?

Yeah, I'm sorry. We'll just have to wait until I get back from China.

- How long will you be there? - I'll be there for ten days.

Ten days!

I can tell that this is disappointing to you.

If you feel you have to meet today, you can try to meet me at the airport.

I can give you ten minutes to talk then.

I will be there shortly.

Okay, but I doubt there will be time.

I'm already closer to the airport than you are.

I will try.

Okay, if you can get there, we can talk.

Thank you, see you!

Hello Mr. Thompson! I'm Xiao Qing.

This is my recommendation letter from Professor Anderson.

Fantastic! How did you do that?

Do what? Ask Professor Anderson to recommend me?

No. How did you manage to get to the airport before me?

I drove as fast as I could.

Thank for saving me on postage to China.

How will this interview work?

You don't have to worry about it. You've already passed.

And you'll be told when to report for work after I get back from China.

I passed? But we haven't talked yet!

You've already shown the qualities of an employee that does her best

of whatever she's asked. Even if her employer can be a little unreasonable.

Do you really mean it?

Right now, all I need is an assistant who speaks Chinese

who's familiar with China.

That's okay. It's still a great opportunity for me.

Well, if you're ambitious and you want to improve and develop in your career

with real opportunities in the future

you'll have to continue to prove yourself to me.

I promise.

Well, I'd better go check in. I'll see you later.

Have a safe trip!

Take care.

- Hi. - Hi.

I'll get going then.

Shu Che.

Let's sit and talk?

Sure.

You're... not going back to China for the summer?

You're not either?

No.

I moved out of my house. I rented an apartment.

Living alone, going to class, getting out of class, going home...

it's like back when I was in undergrad.

I heard that your dad wanted you to go back with him.

You guys fought over it, and he cut you off financially.

What about your tuition and living expenses?

- It's up to me. - Are you going to get a job?

I'm looking.

- Do you need me to help? - No.

This is my debit card. Take it just in case.

- I don't need it. - This is my own card, my own money.

Thanks for your offer.

Are you so determined to have absolutely nothing to do with me?

You better figure out how to thank me

I found a high-end, high salary job for you.

I bet you won't find a summer job better than this one.

Stop talking in circles, just tell me.

Our travel agency helps groups from China who've come here to tour schools.

Before, these schools would send faculty or students

to bring them around and speak with them.

Our agency also hires a local guide to lead them.

But afterwards, our clients gave feedback saying that these local guides

are unfamiliar with America's college recruiting process.

They usually couldn't have their questions answered.

We've been wanting to find a solution for this problem.

And here you are.

I told our boss, and he was all for it. He said we could use you to experiment.

See if we could use a local student as a guide instead and what our clients think.

If the clients are happy, then we'll formally implement it.

How long are these school tour trips and how many places do they visit?

All of the East and West coast.

In the West, there's Los Angeles and San Francisco.

In the East, New York City and Boston.

About 20 days.

There's a separate office on the East, so we're just in charge of the West.

These tour groups usually consist of several Chinese families.

They typically each have a child in middle or high school in China.

They plan to send their kids to America for school within a couple years.

Their main goal is to check out colleges and study abroad life in the States.

How much is the pay?

Since you go to one of these schools, your salary will be much higher.

Here. One group is nine days. $5,000.

In addition, all the tips belong to you.

- Thank you so much, Chen Lei. - Then come to work tomorrow!

- Think of it as training. - No problem.

Although... this job isn't for me.

What do you mean? Who, then?

The one looking for work is a friend of mine. A guy, Chris.

He just graduated from Standord with an MBA. He's getting a JD now.

He'll be my junior come fall.

Also, he's been here for seven years. He knows this place better than I do.

You can't do this! I got a job for you because I know you.

You can't just back out on me last minute like this.

I'm sorry, it's all my fault. But I wholeheartedly assure you...

he's a much better candidate than me.

Who is it that you're giving such a glowing recommendation to?

I'm warning you, these groups are all filled with nouveau riche.

Even their young children stay in five-star hotels and fly first-class.

They also love to sue.

I'm not confident about using your friend when I don't know him.

What if I go with him?

Do you guys sleep on the same bed and share the same meals as well?

If this is your wish, then I have no complaints.

I'm only handing out one salary though.

All right, let's stop joking around. Anyhow, don't worry. He's reliable.

Okay, whatever you say. But if anything happens, it's your responsibility.

Don't let anything happen!

No problem.

Now let's talk about how you'll thank me. Why don't you just marry me?

I'll be enslaved to you in my next life, okay?

All right.

Here, this way, everyone!

This is the bus that will be bringing us around.

Please get in in an orderly fashion and go to your assigned seats.

Don't switch your seats, so I can keep track of you all. Thanks!

Our first stop is lunch at a Chinese restaurant.

Welcome, parents and kids, to San Francisco.

It was a long journey. My name is Chris.

Sorry, man. It's weird hearing a Chinese person with an English name.

I heard your boss say you're from Yanzhou.

- We're all from Yanzhou. - That's right!

Just tell us your Chinese name so we can remember it.