Original subtitles

[Love Between Lines]

[Episode 12]

So,

he only moved into the lane 2 months ago?

Yes.

So it's really related to Lyman's Design Competition.

It's related to Lyman?

Two months ago,

right when Lyman released the news

about the Design Competition.

He never does anything without purpose.

Are you saying

they are planning a lane-style hotel this time?

But the lane theme is nothing new.

Traditional Jiangsu and Zhejiang buildings

are everywhere.

If he's doing this,

there must be something I don't know

that can increase his chances of winning.

It's a pity...

we don't have another Jiang Tianyi.

No.

I-I mean,

the Design Competition is coming soon.

Even if we knew

what they are planning,

it would be...

Notify everyone.

Meeting in 10 minutes.

The building form emphasizes vertical lines,

with the top gradually receding inward,

creating a tall and elegant presence.

The design stresses symmetry,

proportion, and scale,

with a focus on luxurious decoration

and a three-part composition

in its architectural composition.

Well,

that concludes my presentation.

Mr. Pei.

Mr. Pei,

do you think

there is anything in our current proposal

that needs adjustment?

Let's leave it for now.

Mr. Pei,

you dismissed everyone.

Do you already have a plan?

Go arrange an interview for me

within the next couple of days.

[Incorporating Stone-Doorframe House Elements from Shanghai Lanes]

Come on, Hu,

have a "drink."

Thank you, Sun.

Here, Zhuang. Hand these out to everyone.

Thank you, Sun.

-Thank you, Sun. -Thank you, Sun.

-You're welcome. -Thank you, Sun.

Everyone,

once we get through tonight

and confirm there are no issues with the design,

we can submit it.

Hang in there.

The holiday is just around the corner.

Let's keep up the good work, shall we?

Okay! Let's do it!

Come here! Something bad happened!

Who is this?

What's going on?

Ms. Zhou,

Mr. Xiao.

That's right.

All the architects at Zhuling

have a say in their work.

In every project,

I want them to be creators,

not just

a group of operators working to meet

the client's demands.

Speaking of clients,

Zhuling and Yueheng have always maintained

a good working relationship.

I hear there's something new coming up soon.

Can you give us a hint

in this exclusive interview?

Yueheng Group and Zhuling are old friends.

We've collaborated on quite a few projects,

mostly in a modern style.

But this time, we are planning a hotel project

featuring Shanghai cultural elements.

Can you be a bit more specific?

That's a business secret.

Just kidding.

What I can say for now

is that we'll use Shanghai's stone-doorframe houses

as the main design element.

My father and I...

Mr. Xiao,

isn't this similar to our idea?

Exactly.

Why did Zhuling suddenly come up

with this?

Mr. Xiao.

Let's have a meeting.

Let's hear everyone's thoughts first.

Mr. Xiao,

Ms. Zhou,

let me share my opinion first.

I have full confidence

in our design.

Even if we're using the same elements,

our plan will definitely outshine theirs.

As for

changing our plan at the last minute,

quality aside,

whether we can finish it in time is already a question.

Yifei,

even the most secret project

can't stay completely under wraps.

When have you ever heard that Yueheng Group

is developing

a Shanghai-cultural themed hotel?

If we were at the competition—

never mind just Zhuling—

even if all the companies presented proposals

with stone-doorframe house elements,

we wouldn't be afraid of direct competition.

But the problem now

is that right before the competition,

Zhuling suddenly claimed

to be preparing

this so-called special project,

and they even emphasized

that it would be implemented very soon.

That means

no matter how good our proposal is

or how competitive the details are,

Lyman won't buy it.

Because in their eyes,

no matter how we design this lane-style hotel,

we'll just be copying someone else's idea.

So this project mentioned in the interview

won't actually be implemented.

Whether it'll be implemented or not,

the impact has already fallen squarely on us.

Thank you for your hard work overtime lately.

Go back and get some rest.

Meeting adjourned.

The scallions have grown.

Come back and eat Yanduxian soup.

Those flowers seem beyond saving.

Could you buy some plant nutrients?

It's urgent.

Mr. Xiao,

now you really have to come back.

Do you remember the old lady who sells hydrogen balloons

at the lane entrance?

She wasn't paying attention today and all the balloons flew off

and got stuck on our roof.

I have to climb up through the skylight in your room

to help her get them down.

When are you coming back?

She's worried sick.

You lied to me?

If I hadn't pulled this trick,

you could've stayed gone

until the Lyman competition.

If I hadn't pulled this trick,

you'd probably lie in your room until the Design Competition.

Stop.

The plant nutrients part might be an excuse,

but there really is an old lady who's been waiting for you

to come home.

Cut it out.

If you don't believe me, go up and see for yourself.

Go by yourself.

The door upstairs isn't locked anyway.

Fine.

I thought you didn't believe me.

I was afraid you'd bring something weird

into my room again.

That doll last time was scary enough.

Be careful.

It's fine. I'm quite experienced.

Come up.

I had no choice.

Seeing how upset the old lady was,

I bought all her balloons.

I didn't lock the door.

I didn't feel right barging in.

Didn't someone lock themselves

in the attic to keep me away before?

See?

I rarely lie.

Where are the scallions?

Mr. Xiao,

authentic Yanduxian soup doesn't need scallions.

Uncle Wang gave this to me.

I traded scallions for it.

Uncle Wang is that generous?

You got this from him with just some scallions?

You don't understand.

Scallions are cheap at the market,

but once the dish is cooking

and you're just missing that little bit of it,

it's worth a fortune.

Is this how you always find loopholes?

Otherwise,

how could you be drinking this?

Your friend moved out,

and your parents moved out.

Why are you still here?

Because...

it's different.

This place is nothing like those new buildings

or apartments.

It's old,

but that's exactly

why the lanes

have a sense of story

and a legendary quality

that

new buildings don't.

That second floor

used to be Granny Wang's home.

I always think she is the most exquisite

and elegant person I've ever met.

I heard she was a noble lady

during the Republic of China era.

I once saw her old photos.

She was stunning when she was young.

If you turn into the lane next to us,

at the very end,

you'll see Mr. Wang's secret hideout from when he was a kid.

He told me

his parents worked in a factory

and didn't have time to take care of him.

That place used to be his little canteen.

And Dazhong.

Dazhong was amazing at the violin.

He even won awards in Shanghai.

You wouldn't have guessed, would you?

Of course,

living in the lanes has many inconveniences.

The spaces are cramped,

the soundproofing is poor,

and the facilities are outdated.

You don't even need to mention these—

young people don't like it.

Older people with mobility issues

who rely on elevators

aren't suitable to live here either.

Like my dad.

Indeed.

If only there was a building

that could preserve the history of the lanes

while fixing

all these

inconveniences.

How can anything be so perfect?

Alright.

You've had your soup

and got the balloons.

Mr. Xiao, you should get some rest.

We still have time.

Don't give up.

Who told you I was giving up?

Well...

I misunderstood then.

♪ Under the streetlight, I grow increasingly weary ♪

Alright.

You go down.

I'll sit here a bit longer.

♪ A few specks of dust drift by in the wind ♪

What are you going to do

with all those balloons?

♪ The girl who once basked in the sunlight ♪

I want that one! I want that one!

♪ Where did she go to play? ♪

I want that one!

Which one? You go first.

The transparent one! The transparent one!

♪ I don't understand either ♪

I want that one! I want that one!

Which one?

This one, right?

♪ Scrolling on lines we once said before ♪

This blue one?

The octopus?

Here you go.

They're tangled. Wait a sec.

Here, take these three first.

♪ Echo replied just a second too slow ♪

-Thank you. -What about you?

I want that one.

The transparent one.

The fuzzy one.

This fuzzy one, right?

♪ At the edge of the road ♪

I want that one! I want that one!

♪ In the crowd in the night ♪

Which one do you want?

♪ Who hasn't paid the price and still fell down? ♪

♪ Stand with me tonight, look at the starlight ♪

♪ Even when I fell absurd like a stage ♪

♪ Every step feels so hard ♪

♪ But in this world there's always someone ♪

♪ Who starts again, just like I do ♪

Mr. Xiao,

what are you thinking about?

I'm thinking

that looking at this lane now,

it feels like I could step right into

all those stories you told,

as if I now possess those memories too.

Yes.

Maybe the kids who got these balloons today

will still remember those balloons

from this morning 10 or 20 years from now.

Then we'll become part of their stories.

Let's go.

Let's go to the office.

Coming!

I almost forgot

it's Saturday and everyone's off today.

Should I send them a message,

telling them to come as soon as they see it?

Forget it. Let's sort out our thoughts first.

♪ Life lays out the outline of my scenes ♪

Sun?

Why are you here?

Mr. Xiao.

Are you okay?

I had too much Sichuan food last night.

♪ The last act was a monologue in a dream ♪

My stomach is still burning.

But if I don't finish the work,

♪ And in the next, I wander through the city's noise ♪

I can't rest easy.

I have some stomach medicine here.

Take some. You'll feel better.

♪ So many arrivals that turned out to be nothing ♪

After you finish your work, go home early.

Thank you, Mr. Xiao.

♪ I'm counting the beats of the clock ♪

Good morning, Mr. Xiao.

♪ I can't tell which platform is for leaving or returning ♪

Sun.

You didn't take us with you when working overtime.

That's not cool.

♪ Until you walk toward me ♪

You're here too?

Yes.

The work wasn't finished.

For this project, let's work together.

♪ And my breath softens ♪

Morning, Mr. Xiao.

Morning, Mr. Xiao.

♪ I forget every absurd line ♪

Looks like I didn't buy enough coffee.

♪ Because of you ♪

♪ Every pose looks so ridiculous and helpless ♪

♪ And fall into this anticipation called "you" ♪

♪ Because of you ♪

♪ So you're beside the story written by fate ♪

♪ Oh, ok ♪

♪ Oh, okay ♪

♪ Oh, okay ♪

♪ Oh, okay ♪

♪ Oh, okay, my love ♪

♪ It turns out you're my exception ♪

[Lyman Group, Shanghai Hotel Community]

[D Design Studio]

[Zhuling Group]

Mr. Zhu.

Mr. Pei.

Nice to meet you.

Long time no see.

Nice to meet you.

Your father has been abroad for a long time.

I wonder when he'll be back.

I hope he'll give us the pleasure of meeting him.

My father

has always been in poor health

and is recuperating abroad.

Once he makes up his mind and comes back,

I'll host, and you'll have to honor us with your presence.

You're too kind.

Mr. Xie has arrived.

You came early.

How are the preparations?

Everything's ready.

Mr. Xie.

You're here.

Okay.

Come in.

Uncle Xie,

you're here.

[Shanghai Hotel Community Design Competition]

You look confident.

Of course.

By the way, Uncle Xie,

Zhuling has recently started a new project—

a hotel design based on Shanghai's

stone-doorframe houses.

We'll have to ask for your presence by then.

Certainly.

I'll be looking forward to it.

Thank you, Uncle Xie.

Mr. Xie,

the time is almost up.

Have all the competing companies arrived?

Only D Design Studio isn't here.

What's going on?

I just heard a rumor that

D Design Studio didn't dare to come.

♪ I wanted you to see the light ♪

♪ But you tried to shut it down ♪

It's about time.

Please take your seats.

♪ That night ♪

♪ I'm stronger than I used to be ♪

♪ Now watch me fight ♪

♪ Oh, I'm done pretending ♪

♪ And I ♪

Distinguished guests and leaders, thank you

♪ I'm ready, I won't hide ♪

for coming to Lyman Company

to participate in the solicitation of proposals for this project.

♪ Now it's my turn ♪

The submission period has now ended.

♪ The reality is boring ♪

I hereby announce

that the Design Competition officially begins.

♪ Following all the rules ♪

♪ Then I'll take my time to handle it ♪

Our hotel

adopts the concept of a floating community.

As you can see,

♪ I'm free ♪

with the buoyancy of water, our building…

♪ I fall into the abyss ♪

♪ To the other side of logic ♪

♪ Laid bare ♪

♪ Yesterday all withers now ♪

♪ I hear ♪

♪ The war drums throbbing in my breast ♪

♪ Submerged in tempests of fantasy ♪

Finally,

the biggest highlight of this design.

♪ Now it's my turn ♪

Within the community,

we will have

♪ Even if fate ♪

a smart hub,

a core system integrating

♪ Cycles on and on ♪

artificial intelligence management,

data analysis,

♪ How many tales tomorrow will spawn ♪

and energy regulation.

Technology

can change the future.

♪ I'm free ♪

Shanghai

is the future.

♪ Winner still unknown ♪

That concludes my presentation.

Thank you.

♪ I'll be the one writing my own story ♪

Thank you to Zhuling Group for this wonderful proposal.

Next, let's welcome Mr. Xiao Zhiyu

from D Design Studio.

A round of applause, please.

Hello everyone,

I'm Xiao Zhiyu from Dynamism.

To put it simply,

the concept of the proposal I'm about to present

originates from

stone-doorframe house lanes.

However, I'm not using

the stone-doorframe house lane aesthetic.

When thinking of lanes,

people often first imagine buildings

that blend Eastern and Western elements,

shared living spaces,

and the neighborhood warmth that grows from them.

Many also think

lanes

are too cramped,

too old,

and inconvenient to live in.

I once wondered about this too.

Today's young people

are used to smart, convenient modern apartments.

So why do some

still choose to live in lanes?

To find out the reasons,

I moved into a lane myself.

This experience became

a very important part of my life,

and I treasure it deeply.

Beyond the richness of daily life,

a certain resident in the lane

also gave me a lot of inspiration.

She helped me find the answer.

Lanes carry

the collective memory of old Shanghai residents.

They possess not only architectural beauty,

but also a unique community life

that formed over a century ago.

Amid the bustling lanes,

surrounding buildings are renovated and rebuilt,

♪ Wind stops between the corners of a rebooted street ♪

but the memories unique to the lanes

have never faded.

♪ I see the foreshadowing of fate ♪

We can create a new Lyman community

♪ In that moment, the world freezes in place ♪

as a flowing city of time.

Once you step into it,

♪ Like flickering frames in a game ♪

it's like opening the flow of time itself.

♪ Opening the drifting dust ♪

The waterfront lanes

can connect neighborhoods from different eras,

♪ You smile like light—so unexpected ♪

♪ I hear our hearts matching ♪

and VR technology

will become the medium for traveling through time.

♪ In the collapse of this era ♪

Whether you're in the restaurant,

♪ Maybe I'll wake up ♪

the garden,

or on the community streets,

♪ Maybe I shouldn't ♪

just by putting on the glasses,

♪ But the blank space in your eyes ♪

you can be fully immersed

and transported to different times.

♪ Time and space howl ♪

Those nostalgic times

♪ Crossing paths of destiny ♪

will be revealed

through the architecture.

♪ Dreams overturn ♪

People who have left the lanes

♪ With you, I don't want to run away at all ♪

can rediscover their past

and find where they come from.

♪ This heart of mine ♪

♪ Falls for you over and over ♪

And those who have never stepped into a lane

♪ Shattered, pieced together ♪

♪ At least I once shone ♪

can also feel

the stories and legends that once happened here.

Everyone can choose living areas from different eras

according to their preference

♪ Night flows beyond the absurd neon ♪

and immerse themselves

in the unique Shanghai charm of each historical period.

♪ Love becomes an unknown arrangement ♪

It's truly impressive.

To think of integrating time and architecture—

♪ The story is too willful and gentle ♪

very creative.

Design without a budget is just nonsense.

♪ In my arms, it keeps changing ♪

This budget is a lot higher than Zhuling's.

The Lyman Resort Community

♪ We're small ♪

is a cultural space that feels like traveling through time.

♪ But we meet in the universe ♪

People can continuously

♪ This unreal script ♪

create new memories and new stories

♪ Somehow awakens me a little ♪

in a community that blends tradition

♪ Maybe I will wake up ♪

with the present.

♪ Maybe I shouldn't ♪

♪ Yet I can't leave when turning away ♪

That concludes

Dynamism's

presentation.

♪ Time and space roar ♪

Thank you all for listening.

♪ Flying across heaven and earth to hold you close ♪

♪ Illusions topple ♪

♪ I can hold your hands tight ♪

[Key Project Members: Senior Designer Sun Yifei]

[Mid-level Designers Tan Siyu and Xue Jiajia]

[Assistant Designers Hu Xiu and Zhang Ying]

♪ My madness ♪

♪ Spins for you until the break of dawn ♪

♪ This moment ♪

♪ Is real and shining ♪

Thank you

to Mr. Xiao Zhiyu

from Dynamism for his excellent presentation.

I hereby announce

that the presentation phase of this design competition

is now complete.

Next, I invite all the judges to the conference hall

for the final evaluation.

Thank you.

Skyline Studio.

Please come in.

The judges have some questions

they'd like you to answer.

Mr. Wu.

Sorry to keep you waiting. Please.

Here's the thing.

Regarding your company's earlier presentation,

we are leaning towards...

I overheard a bit

in the restroom just now.

They said the scores are deadlocked.

Then it depends on whether Mr. Xie

is willing to pay for sentiment.

Anyway,

we've done our best.

So don't be nervous.

Right.

Yes.

No need to be nervous. We can't be nervous.

I need to go to the restroom again.

Everyone, please return to the conference hall.

The evaluation results are in.

Let's go.

They're here! They're back!

How was it?

This time,

the schedule...

was a bit tight.

Revenge is a dish

best served cold.

There will definitely be other projects in the future.

What?

Why are you smiling?

Did we win?

Ms. Zhou.

I was just saying...

Hu Xiu, you guys are so bad at acting!

I couldn't help it!

Can't you hold it in a little longer?

I...

One vote! We beat Zhuling by one vote!

I knew it!

You didn't reply to my messages! I was worried sick!

I just wanted to give everyone a surprise.

Everyone's been too tense lately.

-Seriously! -Just kidding. Relax.

You need to improve your acting skills.

I don't need much acting skill.

As long as I can fool Commander Qin in the game,

that's enough.

Is the design competition over yet?

Without the star there,

poor Mr. Gong is having a hard time.

Everyone has worked hard.

Today, go home and get some rest.

Later we'll have a celebration banquet.

It'll be on Mr. Xiao.

How's that?

Feel free to suggest any food you want.

Honey!

Why are you waiting outside?

Are you cold?

Look who's talking.

You're late for your own class reunion.

I stopped by our company after work.

There were no parking spaces when I came here,

so I had to park next door.

You should just

quit that job soon.

I will.

Let's wait until the company is more stable.

Over here.

Come on, everyone.

I'd like to make a toast.

This glass,

we have to finish it all.

We're all in Shanghai,

yet we haven't seen each other in so long.

Is that right?

There, there.

Cheers!

Cheers!

All gone.

Guangming,

I have to say, you're still

the most thoughtful.

No wonder you were the campus heartthrob back then.

Oh, give me a break.

Back in the day,

when we were in school,

there were so many girls liked Guangming.

Too bad

you married young.

You broke so many women's hearts.

My fault.

Alright, guy.

We just sat down for a moment.

Please, give me a break.

Stop teasing me.

Speaking of which,

I just remembered something.

Earlier,

when we went to that conference,

I ran into Chi Xin.

Chi Xin?

Do you remember her?

That junior sister?

I remember back then

we once worked on a project as a team.

She came to us on her own,

asking to join our team.

She's

at Zhitung Tech now, I think.

Pretty impressive.

You're well informed.

But you know what? That day at the conference,

Chi Xin specifically came over

to add Guangming on WeChat.

But,

Guangming refused her immediately.

Right.

Later she came to me

and asked me to give her his WeChat.

And then?

The man himself immediately refused.

That's why Guangming

is a model husband.

How does that saying go?

"Out of all the waters,

I only take one scoop."

"Passing through a thousand flowers..."

"Not a petal touches me."

How come I didn't know about this?

No need to report such a trivial matter.

Come on.

Let me make another toast.

A toast to our former campus heartthrob.

Come on!

Everyone!

Come on.

And to our youth we can't go back to!

And to this model couple.

-Cheers! -Cheers!

Cheers!

What's this?

What?

When did you buy this?

I noticed you're not in high spirits tonight.

Is everything okay at the company?

Do you remember that project

I mentioned to you at home?

The client's funding has been cut off.

The project might be canceled.

That project—

didn't they just transfer the first payment

to your company?

If it stops now,

won't all the work you did before be in vain?

So that's why you came back from Jinshan

last time?

Xiaorou,

don't worry.

I won't let this project fail.

There's already a big company

that's interested.

We're still discussing.

I'll definitely secure the deal.

The cab is here. It's cold outside.

Go back now.

Tell the designated driver

to drive slowly.

Let me know when you get to the company.

Okay.

I'm leaving.

Bye.

This way, Mr. Xiao.

You're in good spirits, Mr. Xiao.

Winning the competition

definitely calls for a drink

in a nice place.

Yeah.

The drinks here are good.

Perfect for drowning one's sorrows.

You know,

these years since you came back to China,

you're really different from before.

You're more and more like a true elite.

Remember to keep your tail hidden.

Don't let it show.

This game

is just getting started.

You'll have to play along with me until the end.

A game that makes you go to such lengths—

I'll certainly play along until the end.

After all,

seeing you so on edge

is way more entertaining than drinking.

Mr. Pei,

let me take you to the VIP room

to complete your membership registration.

Forget it.

You let just anyone in here, don't you?

I heard about the competition.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Here.

These are the personnel files from the steel factory back then.

The director's secretary,

finance staff,

project managers—

anyone with a name

whose information could be found

is here.

Well?

Is the one you're looking for among them?

Besides these,

have you found anyone

who was closer to him?

Now that you mention it,

there actually is someone.

This person is quite interesting.

He was the director's personal driver back then.

It's said that after the director died,

he managed to climb the social ladder,

became a building materials supplier,

and is now doing quite well.

His driver?

Yes.

[Supply Records]

He was such a nobody that it was hard

to even find his name.

But the connection he made back then

is one you're familiar with.

It's Zhuling Group.

Dad,

you're back.

Why didn't you tell me?

I could have come to pick you up.

Don't you have anything you want to tell me?

How's your health recently?

That determines

how I should talk to you

and how much I should tell you.

You lost the competition,

and you still dare to have this attitude?

Look at Xiao Zhiyu.

In just a few years,

he's already climbed to a position

the entire industry can't ignore.

Dad,

only those on the ground

need to climb up.

People like me

just need to sit here

and give them the motivation to climb.

With you like this,

how can I entrust Zhuling to you?

Think about it carefully.

There's another thing

I need you to run an errand for me.

Auntie Yue.

Zhen.

Take this soup

and try it.

Is this for my dad?

I made a pot of this soup.

There's more upstairs.

I'll go get another bowl for your dad.

Thank you.

Mr. Pei,

your coffee is ready.

There are some new desserts we developed.

Please try them.

Thanks.

And?

Okay.

Qin Xiaoyi?