Sniper Butterfly (2025) s01e21 Episode Script

♪The possibility inside the impossible♪
♪Is still hiding in a parallel universe♪
♪I don't have the talent for happiness♪
♪I can only admit it♪
♪There must be some kind
of possibility in my imagination♪
♪That will crush
all impossibilities into dust♪
♪Even if they mock my delusion
and slowness♪
♪My foolishness♪
=Sniper Butterfly=
(Adapted from the Jinjiang Novel
"Sniper Butterfly" by author Qibaosu)
=Episode 21=
Why do I have to wait another month
for a break
when you're already heading home?
Yanbei University always
has its semester breaks early.
Now you're just gloating.
No.
I just wanted to see
what your and Li Wu's campus looks like.
Well, this is it.
Looks nice.
So, are you free this Saturday?
Cheng Rui.
Liu Ying.
Are you free
this Saturday?
I'd like to buy you a meal
and ask you something.
Yeah, I'm free.
If you're buying,
of course, I'm free.
It's a promise, then.
I'll send you the time
and place.
Okay.
See you.
See you around!
Well?
She's the belle of our course.
Pretty, right?
She's all right.
Just all right?
Wen.
- Li Wu.
- Li Wu.
It's been a while.
Long time no see.
You're late.
You just missed
the highlight of my life.
What happened?
The belle of my course asked me out.
She asked me.
Right?
Li Wu,
are you free this Saturday?
I don't have plans yet.
Then let's watch this together.
(Heartstrings Orchestra)
What are these?
Tickets to the city orchestra's
tour concert.
I heard
they're really good.
The tickets were hard to get.
Is Cheng Rui not joining us?
He has a date with a beauty.
And with his taste,
it'd be wasted on him anyway.
What's that supposed to mean?
All right.
Li Wu!
We need to talk.
What's up?
Have you and Wen been talking
behind my back?
No.
Then why'd she only ask you to go
to the concert with her?
Well, don't you have a date
with someone else?
Tell her I can't make it.
I need to work at the shop.
Then why'd you say yes just now?
I didn't want to make things awkward
for her.
Look at you understanding social cues.
But if you back out,
she's going to be alone.
Fine then, I'll go.
Don't.
Give me the ticket.
You don't need to go.
You've been working
a lot lately.
How many shifts do you have a week?
Just once a week.
Saturday was supposed
to be someone else's shift,
but he swapped with me.
I'm heading off.
We'll put this prop over here.
There's not enough on that side.
Okay.
We'll add a few more.
These are the products.
There'll be one, two, three, four,
and our model will touch the numbers.
When he touches number one,
number one will open.
Followed
by number four.
And last
is number two.
Then, he covers his ears.
Good. That should work.
Jin,
the model we booked
has an eye infection.
He's at the hospital right now.
Even if he can come,
he can't wear our contacts.
Any backups?
I asked Li Fei to check the talent group.
There are no models
who meet the appearance requirements
and have a schedule that lines up.
What do we do?
Ask the agent
if there's anyone
in the student part-time groups.
About 185cm, nice eyes,
and needs to get here immediately.
Got it. I'll check with them now.
Who ordered
the milk tea?
We did.
Thanks. I'll take that.
Forget the call.
We have a candidate right here.
I need a favor.
What?
Sit.
Start doing his hair and makeup.
Make it quick. Can you
get him ready in 30 minutes?
No problem.
Great.
But
Keep scrolling.
Okay. Stop.
Jin! The owner of Meete Store said
the guy can stay
and help us
since we always
give them business.
Perfect.
Attention, everyone!
We're shooting in 15 minutes!
Move fast!
- Got it!
- Got it!
Let's continue.
Scroll up.
Can you get him ready
in five minutes?
No problem.
Thanks.
(Control yourself.)
(You looked at me first.)
So I think
we can switch these two.
From this angle.
Right.
Does this work?
This will do.
Okay.
I'll do it that way.
Okay.
All right.
Li Wu.
(Dressing Room A)
Where is everyone?
No idea.
Are you almost done?
Do you need help?
What are you doing?
If you're changed,
you should've just gone out.
What are you trying to do?
Cut it out!
There are people outside!
Where are the non-prescription lenses?
I think I left them inside.
I'll look.
Found them.
They were here.
Let's go.
Get the model to put them on.
Where is he?
You're annoying.
Li Wu,
here's how this shot will go.
The lights around the door
will turn on.
Then the boards representing
your ears, mouth,
and eyes will slide open.
Then they close again,
leaving only your eyes.
You need to look into the camera
and show affection.
Okay?
Behind that door?
Yes, behind that door.
Okay.
Di!
We can start.
Okay, Director.
Everyone on set, ready!
Shake the balls.
Roll the cameras!
Rolling!
Three, two, one!
Action!
(Close your mouth. Cover your ears.
Let the affection show in your eyes.)
Okay. Cut!
Li Wu! Li Wu.
That take was good.
Let's adjust a bit.
Next time,
don't let your eyes wander.
Look into the lens with affection.
Okay?
Okay.
All right. One more take.
Everyone on set, ready!
Three, two, one!
Action!
♪A butterfly flapping its wings♪
(Let the affection show in your eyes.)
♪Breaking through the cocoon
that once bound it♪
♪Through wind, frost, rain, and snow,
we endure the trials of love♪
♪Never retreated♪
♪If love has a deadline♪
♪Just drag it out♪
♪Make any end stretch into eternity♪
♪Changing out of the heavy clothes♪
♪Strolling through the amusement park
of life♪
♪Hold my hand tight, don't get lost♪
Thanks.
Take a seat.
Okay.
Hello.
Welcome.
Can you adjust the air conditioner
so it doesn't blow straight at us?
It's a little chilly.
Of course. Sorry about that.
One moment.
Here's our menu.
Take a look at the menu.
It's fine.
This is my first time here.
I don't know what's good.
You decide.
All right.
I'll just order a few things.
(Well?)
(Did you go to the concert?)
(Are you all by yourself?)
How about these?
Do we need anything else?
No.
It's fine.
I trust your choices.
All right. We'll start with these.
If it's not enough, we'll order more.
Okay. Your food will be ready soon.
Here is your food.
Enjoy.
Thank you.
Thank you.
(Voice Call)
What do you think?
The food's nice, right?
It's delicious.
Have some more.
I asked you out
(Wen)
because I wanted to ask something.
So
(Hang Up)
Does Li Wu have a girlfriend?
I'm sorry.
Something urgent came up. I need to go.
This meal's on me.
Enjoy the food. I have to go.
Wait
Maybe we can set up another date.
Sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Wait
(Grand Theater Entrance)
I I'm looking for someone.
I can't let you in without a ticket.
I have a ticket. Hold on.
What's going on with you?
I called a bunch of times.
You didn't pick up.
Where are you?
Right here.
What are you doing still out here?
You're always early.
Why are you here?
I thought you had a date
with your course belle.
What do you think?
I texted you so many times.
You didn't reply to any of them.
I thought Li Wu turned you down
and you were
hiding somewhere crying.
Why would I cry?
Aren't you into Li Wu
What's going on in that head of yours?
Why would I ever have a crush on Li Wu?
I just had an extra ticket
and didn't know who to invite.
Li Wu's the only reliable option.
You should've said so.
I thought you got dumped
and bailed on my date.
Then leave.
I'm already here.
Why should I leave now?
Let's head in.
Don't leave halfway,
don't look at your phone,
and don't fall asleep.
Tickets, please.
Got it.
(Grand Theater Entrance)
Cen Jin,
it's settled then.
Once I'm back from the trip,
we'll grab dinner
and go over everything in detail.
Sure thing.
After you.
Mr. Li,
we'll stay in touch.
All right.
Bye.
Goodbye.
Hi!
Haven't seen you in a while.
Congratulations, Jin!
Thank you.
How've you been?
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Looking forward to working together.
Keep your mind where it needs to be.
Since the G series campaign,
AusStar, thanks to Cen Jin,
has pulled several contracts out
from under us.
Here. To better days for us.
What a coincidence.
Those past few adverts were pretty good.
Thank you.
That artist collab makeup short
from AusStar last week
was yours, right?
Do you need something?
The concept was mine.
I pitched it.
And you got all the credit.
I was just doing what the client
and the boss wanted.
Didn't expect you to say that.
If you've got any complaints,
take them up with the client.
I was wondering
why Ted's work
suddenly tanked enough
to produce that mess.
Call it what it is. You're a thief.
I remember
when you used
to be proud and idealistic.
But it seems
you're starting
to compromise with the real world.
Relax.
I'll never
put that case in my portfolio
because it's cheap work,
inside and out.
I know you're drunk
and can't control your temper.
But the concept came
from the client.
If you're mad
because it came from your ex-husband,
I get it.
But you know
we don't get to make decisions.
We execute
what the client wants.
You've got ideals.
You aim high.
Sometimes,
it's not creativity that makes a brand.
It's the brand
that gives us room to create.
Your ex-husband
is something else though.
If he thought his idea was all that,
why isn't he going after the client?
It would be even more ridiculous
if you walked straight into his trap.
I just feel like
I was kept in the dark.
No one kept you in the dark.
Clients don't owe us
full disclosure.
Right?
And the same goes
for me as your supervisor.
I don't have
to tell you everything either.
But I always thought
AusStar's greatest value
was our creativity.
Creativity only matters
when we can carry it out,
and when there is enough funding
and the right platform
to make it happen.
Otherwise,
a great idea is just an idea.
You've worked your way up
to where you are.
You can't run on ideals alone.
I like you,
but you're also
the most difficult kind of people
to work with.
(Sister, are you done with work?)
(Where are you?)
(I'll pick you up.)
Don't move.
Just let me lean on you for a bit.
What's wrong?
Did you cry?
No.
I just feel a little blue.
Why'd you drink so much?
What happened?
Just work stuff.
Stuff I hate
but can't avoid.
You need to study hard.
Don't rush into working.
The real world
eats you alive.
There are
so many things you can't control.
But I want to start working sooner.
If not,
how long will it take
till I can protect you
and marry you?
What are you talking about?
Are you even
old enough to get married?
I
will be.
Assuming you still want
to be with me when the time comes.
Why are you so pessimistic?
I'm not that fickle.
Let's go inside.
I'll help you.
Lie down for a bit.
I'll make you something
to help you sober up.
I think you're in some sort
of avant-garde relationship.
What are you talking about?
Your water.
Thank you.
I don't get you.
You two
just started dating.
You should be all over each other.
Why'd you send him back
to his dorm?
You two are trying out
long distance or something?
Stop teasing me.
Li Wu has projects
and lab work.
And
And what?
Living together makes it too easy
to get carried away.
Do you see this?
Chills.
Really?
Stop showing off your romance!
Anyway,
I've been thinking
about something.
What?
How to give your lover
the sweetest romance?
Cut it out!
Stop filling your mind
with all that nonsense.
I meant
I'm thinking about starting
my own independent creative agency
or an MCN company.
Where'd that come from?
You already made it
to creative director.
Now you want to start over from scratch?
I thought about it
when I left Yiwen.
But things went well at AusStar,
and I did enjoy it,
so I shelved
the idea.
Then the Wu Fu situation
snapped me awake.
If no one can give me
the platform I want,
I'll build my own.
30 years old and so ambitious, huh?
I used to think
I was the core.
But lately,
I realized
I'm just a part, a tiny gear.
Turning and turning,
executing, completing,
getting rejected, getting praised.
The cycle repeats.
And replaceable any day.
I've got
no real say in anything.
Wu Fu used to say I had no worries
and nothing holding me back.
I argued with him at the time.
But looking back,
maybe he wasn't wrong.
So when are you
planning to start this business?
There's no rush.
I want to build some connections first.
A partner
I used to work well with
started her own thing.
I want to talk to her first.
I'll be looking forward
to see the platform
you build for yourself.
Cheers!
(Brother, Video Call)
(The receiver
has switched to voice call)
(Brother)
(Hold on.)
(What are you doing?)
(I'm in the library. Give me a moment.)
I just left the library.
I'm heading back to the dorm.
Watch where you're going.
Don't run into a tree.
All right.
You look really good.
Why'd you call all of a sudden?
No reason.
Just wanted to see you.
Are you coming home this weekend?
I can come home right now.
Keep dreaming.
Li Wu!
It really is you.
You were staring at your phone.
I was only sure
once I got close.
What are you doing?
Cheng Rui said
you were in the library.
I'm on a video call
with my girlfriend.
Then
I'll leave you to it.
(Library)
(Why'd you hang up?)
(You were talking to your coursemate.)
(She's the class representative.)
(We only exchanged a couple of words.)
(Got it.)
(I've got work to do.)
(Are you jealous?)
(Why would I be?
It was a normal conversation.)
(Then I'll talk to her more next time.)
(You wouldn't dare.)
(Why would I be?
It was a normal conversation.)
(You wouldn't dare.)
Li Wu,
maybe grin in the hallway
if you need to.
Come back when you're done.
Li Wu!
You're dating someone, aren't you?
You think so?
He looks like he is.
He was smiling like that
in the lab a few days ago.
If you put it that way,
he's very suspicious.
See?
Oh, my!
This came out of nowhere!
You
Way to go, dude!
Who is she?
Is she from our university?
No
But she used to be.
Who is she?
Do we know her?
It's
That lady you all met
when we first
started university.
The pretty lady!
I knew last year
there was something going on.
You
Cheng Rui knew, didn't he?
And he didn't tell us anything!
Come on.
How'd she get you?
I asked her out.
That's our overachiever.
So, what's it like dating an older lady?
It must be amazing.
Totally.
Come on, tell us.
We've never dated one.
Tell us about it.
I I need to catch up on my reading.
Don't be like that.
Don't do this to us.
Right. Just tell us.
Come on!
Knock it off!
Boring.
Buzzkill.
What are you looking at?
My paper passed review.
What paper?
The topic Professor Zhang gave me.
Yiyang helped me revise it
and suggested
I submit it to CSSCI.
Wow!
That's huge!
Keep your voice down.
Why would I keep it down?
A paper accepted by CSSCI!
That's something
to brag about!
Right.
I'll tell the guys in the dorm.
We'll throw a feast for you tonight.
Li Wu.
Which one of you is Li Wu?
That's me.
Li Wu, the director wants to see you.
The director?
Sounds like good news.
How do you know?
If they're looking for you,
it's good news.
If they're looking for me,
that's another story.
So are we celebrating you or not?
(Head of Department Office)
Director.
Li Wu.
Come in and have a seat.
Your paper passed the review.
Congratulations.
Thank you, Sir.
I asked you here today
because I have more good news
to share.
Here's the situation.
Our department
has two full scholarships
for an exchange program in the US this year.
You've been one of our top students
since the day you joined us.
You also have
a paper coming out
in a journal.
You're a great fit
for this program.
The university wants you
to have this opportunity.
We haven't partnered
with the University of Pennsylvania
for years.
The policy lined up this time
and it's a full scholarship.
Pick a topic
from your current work,
put together
a research plan,
and submit it.
I trust that won't be a problem.
Of course.
Sir,
how long would we be gone?
When would we leave?
You
I just want to know
the duration of the program
and the departure date.
If the paperwork goes smoothly,
you'll leave at the start
of your sophomore year.
The program lasts two years.
Would I be able
to come back in between?
Your seniors all felt
their time there
wasn't enough.
What's the matter?
You want time to come home?
Of course.
If you really want to come back,
it's not impossible.
However, the academic
exchange visa is tied
to the program.
You only get
a limited number of entries.
If you want
to come back midway,
it might
get complicated.
Do you have concerns?
It's just
a bit sudden.
You're young.
You should
get out there more and push yourself.
It'll broaden your horizon
and mind.
That'll help you in the long run.
And once you have
experience abroad,
it will help you
whether you pursue further study
or look for work.
Everyone is fighting
for this chance.
Why don't you
go home and talk it over
with your family?
Give me
a clear answer soon.
All right.
(There's something I'd like to)
Come in.
Boss.
(Jingman Cosmetics and Artists
Collaboration Proposal)
What's this?
The collaboration proposal
with the artists.
I made some changes.
Wu Fu's idea falls apart
the moment you look closely.
It's outdated.
The market is saturated
with similar concepts.
It has no originality to speak of.
I thought
we already made things clear
the other day.
And I said
I didn't agree.
Shooting with that concept
is a waste of resources.
Did it cross your mind
that what you call outdated
might be what the client sees
as safe and reliable?
Don't get stuck in your own head.
You should
focus more
on the Bei'ao Motors project.
And keep typing for Song Yang?
Someone's upset.
We're basically doing assembly work
for Bei'ao Motors
at this point.
We have no room
to do anything creative.
It puts us in a passive spot.
If this keeps up,
we'll be pushed out of the core project
or even replaced
by another company.
Aren't you
overthinking it?
Maybe you're just tired.
How about I give you a day off
to rest?
Don't stress yourself out.
Anything else?
No.
You're back.
I came to pick up my clothes.
You came all the way back
just for that?
I wanted to see you.
I waited all day for you.
Why'd you come back so late?
I'm exhausted.
Let me lie down on your lap for a bit.
You've been worn out
from work lately.
Want to talk about it?
I don't want to bring
my work stress home
to you.
What do you want to hear?
Me trash-talking clients?
Media?
My boss?
Anything.
And what if this keeps happening?
Would you really put up
with being my emotional bin forever?
I don't want to gossip
behind people's backs.
It makes me feel small.
Just this is fine.
Just you holding me like this.
Li Wu,
I might be jobless soon.
You're quitting?
I tend to act on impulse.
If you were me,
what would you do?
You already know your answer.
Whatever you choose,
I'm with you.
(Cheng Rui: Li Wu, are you going to Penn
for the exchange program?)
(I told you the director
had good news for you!)
Don't you want to read that?
It's fine.
It's just Cheng Rui.
He wanted to talk about something.
♪Light declares a brand-new day♪
♪Yesterday's scenes♪
♪Begin to repeat again♪
♪Saying good morning♪
♪Stars accompany the night♪
♪Countless sleepless times♪
♪Your "good night"♪
♪Calms all my unease♪
♪The wind seems to have fallen♪
♪Flowers bloom with smiling faces♪
♪Butterflies linger♪
♪So romantic♪
♪Without noticing♪
♪I found where my heartbeat began♪
♪It started long ago♪
♪Sorry I arrived late♪
♪I'm used to having
your morning greetings♪
♪Turning all hardships♪
♪Into the simplest things♪
♪I'm used to having your good nights♪
♪Afraid life is too short♪
♪Gone in the blink of an eye♪
♪What should I do♪
♪Loving every good morning
and good night with you♪
♪Writing our days♪
♪Into great little ordinary moments♪
♪Maybe sometimes we'll drift apart♪
♪Remember to come home on time♪
♪I made your favorite♪
♪Dinner♪