- 36 minutes ago
An unlikely friendship. A lost love resurfaced. A marriage at its turning point. A date that might not have been a date. An unconventional new family. These are unique stories about the joys and tribulations of love, each inspired by a real-life personal essay from the beloved New York Times column "Modern Love."
🎥 Modern Love (TV Series 2019 - 2021)
🎥 Modern Love (TV Series 2019 - 2021)
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Short filmTranscript
00:00This doorman had a special ability. With just one glance, he could accurately judge a person's
00:04character. More precise than a scope on a sniper rifle. Take Maggie's new date for example.
00:08The doorman confidently told her.
00:10Maggie didn't believe what the doorman said. After all, they both had a great time on their
00:31date today. She was convinced the guy would stay in touch with her. Maggie wanted to make a bet
00:35with the doorman. But the doorman said with complete confidence. Maggie was about to defend
00:42the guy. But seeing the doorman's certain expression, her confidence began to waver.
00:46After getting home, Maggie kept checking her phone like she was possessed. But the screen
00:50remained dead silent. After much internal struggle, she took the initiative to send a friendly text to
00:55the guy. But even after night swallowed the entire city, the chat box on her phone was still empty.
01:00The next day before Maggie headed out, she nervously scanned the lobby first. After confirming the
01:04doorman wasn't there, her anxious heart finally settled a bit. Otherwise, remembering last
01:09night's bet would just make her feel embarrassed. But just when she thought she'd escaped this
01:12awkwardness. Seeing the doorman's silent response, Maggie just wanted to get out of there fast. But
01:22after walking out, she couldn't help muttering under her breath. A few months later, Maggie welcomed a
01:29new romance. And this elegant gentleman made her heart flutter. As their relationship deepened,
01:34she wanted to bring her boyfriend home to take things further. However, when passing through
01:37the gate, Maggie couldn't help but tense up. After all, the shadow from last time still
01:41lingered in her mind. After Maggie brought her new boyfriend toward the elevator, the doorman's
01:45sharp gaze locked onto the man. The next morning, when Maggie woke from a pleasant dream, she found
01:50her new boyfriend had disappeared. Just as she was about to blow up, she heard her boyfriend's voice
01:54chatting with the doorman downstairs. She rushed to the window. Her boyfriend was holding a steaming
01:58hot breakfast. You beautiful British bastard. A wave of warmth surged through Maggie's heart, as if
02:04she'd finally met her soulmate. But just as she was lost in this beautiful fantasy, the phone suddenly
02:08rang. Didn't you get in my darling? I don't like him. What? He's empty-headed. You are a very bright
02:15woman with a PhD. I'm only thinking of your interests. Maggie racked her brain trying to defend her
02:20boyfriend. But the doorman kept telling her. A man's tenderness was often just a carefully packaged
02:24delusion. Maggie didn't take it to heart. She thought it was just an old man's prejudice. Then
02:29she continued to sink into her sweet dream. But after a month passed, her boyfriend's texts went
02:33from instant replies to taking forever. Eventually he couldn't even be bothered with half-hearted
02:37responses. And this relationship came to an end in their mutual silence. A few days later, Maggie
02:42suddenly realized her period hadn't come this month. When she nervously finished the pregnancy test,
02:46the two red lines sent her into a panic. She scrolled through her contacts with trembling hands,
02:50but she couldn't find a single person to confide in. After a long internal struggle,
02:55she finally chose to go to the lobby. When she saw the doorman's concerned gaze,
02:58all of Maggie's emotional defenses instantly crumbled. She threw herself into his broad embrace
03:02and sobbed. When her turbulent emotions finally calmed down, Maggie said through red-rimmed eyes what
03:07was troubling her heart. In this unfamiliar city where she knew no one, she really didn't know
03:11whether to let this new life come into the world. But the doorman told her.
03:14Hearing the doorman's words, Maggie felt that in this strange city, she wasn't completely alone
03:38after all. This strict yet warm doorman had long been silently protecting her like family,
03:42so she made a clear decision in her heart. From that day on, Maggie's life became extra
03:50careful. But one day when she rode her bike back to the apartment, the doorman gave her a stern
03:55scolding. The doorman's reprimand clearly carried warm concern. Maggie looked at his serious face.
04:05She quickly pulled out the ultrasound photo she'd just taken to share with him. The usually composed
04:09doorman's eyes suddenly softened. This simple black and white photo seemed to carry life and the future
04:13in his eyes. Feeling the doorman's cherishing look at the new life, Maggie even tore off a copy to give
04:17him. Though the doorman still took it with a stern face. After Maggie went inside, he carefully tucked
04:22the photo into his inside pocket. Time slipped away unknowingly. Maggie's baby bump gradually showed.
04:27During this time, the doorman took care of every detail of her life, as devoted as if he were the
04:31child's real grandfather. Soon it was time for Maggie to give birth. Perhaps lacking the company and
04:36encouragement of family. Maggie's labor was unusually difficult. She lay on the delivery bed
04:40struggling in pain. The intense pain left her nearly exhausted. Just as she was on the verge
04:44of breaking down. Through her haze she seemed to see the doorman's standing guard at the door.
04:48And his gentle yet firm gaze seemed to inject Maggie with an inexplicable strength. It turned out this
04:52doorman she'd met by chance, had already become her most trusted emotional support in this strange city.
04:57Finally, Maggie gritted her teeth and welcomed the arrival of new life. After being discharged,
05:02Maggie returned to the apartment with her baby. The usually serious doorman completely
05:06changed. His eyes revealed endless tenderness and adoration. He carefully carried the baby
05:13basket. Even his footsteps were extremely light, afraid that any noise would disturb the sleeping
05:18baby in the basket. Even the bustling street outside innocently became the object of the
05:21doorman's complaints. Time flowed quietly like a stream. In the blink of an eye, Maggie's daughter
05:30gradually grew up. During this time, the doorman consistently helped the mother and daughter,
05:34as if from the moment he received that ultrasound image. He'd made this protection a lifelong commitment.
05:39On regular days he was the most reliable babysitter. And on holidays he transformed into the most
05:43dedicated teacher, taking the little girl through museums to broaden her horizons. But just when
05:48these warm days seemed like they'd continue forever, one day Maggie came to the doorman with
05:52something on her mind. This was her dream job as a magazine editor. Unfortunately, the location was
06:02all the way in Los Angeles. Maggie kept hedging, saying she planned to turn down the opportunity.
06:07But how could her little thoughts fool the doorman who'd seen it all?
06:10When are you leaving?
06:12Uh, we're just making plans now, seeing if it's possible.
06:15Everything is possible.
06:18She'll miss the city.
06:20And this building.
06:22And you.
06:24Excuse me.
06:25After hearing this, the doorman didn't say much. He just silently turned and walked toward the door.
06:29Maggie actually knew in her heart. This seemingly tough man just couldn't face the sadness of
06:33parting. But thinking about leaving this father figure who, though not related by blood,
06:37had always silently protected her. Her tears fell uncontrollably. Time flew by. And five years
06:43passed in a flash. Maggie returned to the city. The little baby from back then had now become a
06:47graceful young woman. Besides coming back to catch up with the doorman, they mainly wanted to bring her
06:51new boyfriend for the doorman to evaluate. But when the three of them actually appeared before the
06:55doorman, the most nervous one was Maggie herself. She was terrified her boyfriend would get a
06:59failing grade from the doorman. And this new boyfriend also knew all alone. He had to pass
07:03this father's test. But just as he took a deep breath to face the scrutiny, Maggie's mind was
07:08full of confusion. She couldn't figure out what standard the doorman used to judge a person's
07:12essential character. It turned out the doorman had always been observing Maggie's eyes. During
07:21her first relationship, her eyes were evasive. During her second relationship, she lacked confidence.
07:26But this time she could stand before the doorman with her boyfriend calmly. This weathered elder
07:30didn't need to scrutinize the other person's words or actions at all. He only looked at the light
07:34flowing in Maggie's eyes. That was the truest answer. And the doorman's care for Maggie had no
07:38ulterior motive. If he had to say there was one, it was more like a wise person who'd weathered life
07:43storms, gently sheltering a confused young woman new to the city. His sharp eyes could see through all
07:47pretenses but never crossed boundaries or interfered. He'd give advice at the right time, but always
07:52respected her decisions. Because he knew better than anyone, only by tasting love yourself could you
07:56distinguish what was genuine. So he never made any decisions for Maggie's life. Instead, he chose to
08:01silently protect her from behind, becoming her personal safe harbor. No matter how noisy the
08:06outside world got, there was always warmth waiting for her here. Even amidst the hustle and bustle of
08:10the busy city, the doorman could still precisely maintain the delicate balance between people.
08:14Only at this moment did I understand how well he protected this building and its residents.
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