Taking Liu Yifei back to Northeast China for the Chinese New Year has sent the entire internet into

The next day, early morning.

A black Alphard pulled up right on time in front of Fang Yu's apartment building.

Fang Yu yawned and strolled out of the building entrance, immediately recognizing the familiar van.

He opened the car door and got in.

A faint scent of perfume wafted through the carriage.

Good morning, fairy sister.

Fang Yu greeted them lazily and casually tossed his dusty canvas bag onto the seat next to him.

Liu Yifei glanced at him.

"It's getting late, it's almost nine o'clock."

Fang Yu raised his head.

After seeing her outfit today, I was stunned for half a second.

It was completely different from the style he had imagined.

He originally thought that since the trip to the Forbidden City was such a prestigious event, his girlfriend would at least have to dress up in an ethereal style.

At the very least, she should be a sophisticated urban woman.

result--

She had no makeup on, not even lipstick.

That fair-skinned little face went out with the original camera image quality.

He wore a khaki windbreaker, a white T-shirt, loose cargo pants, and a pair of extremely hardcore flat hiking shoes.

Her long hair was tied into a high ponytail.

Clean and efficient, without the slightest hesitation or sloppiness.

Fang Yu looked her up and down twice, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"I said, 'Fairy Sister.'"

"Are you going to the Forbidden City for inspiration, or are you preparing to report to the archaeological team?"

He pointed to her multi-pocket cargo pants.

"I'll also give you a small brush and a small shovel, so you can start working in the fields today."

"I guarantee no one will doubt your identity."

Liu Yifei rolled her eyes at him.

"What do you know? This is called being prepared."

"Director Shen specifically instructed that some of the places we visited today were still under renovation and the roads were not easy to travel."

"High heels and skirts are inconvenient."

After she finished speaking, she looked Fang Yu up and down again.

Fang Yu is dressed quite properly today.

Black casual pants, white sweatshirt, dark gray jacket, and sneakers.

Simple and refreshing.

He looked exactly like a male college student preparing for a spring outing.

That canvas bag next to it just looks so out of place.

"What's in that shabby bag of yours this time?"

Liu Yifei's gaze fell on the bulging canvas bag.

"Footprint collection tools"

Fang Yu patted his bag and smiled mysteriously.

Liu Yifei pursed her lips and didn't ask any further questions.

Having spent so much time with Fang Yu, she already had experience.

It wouldn't be outrageous for this guy to pull anything out of his bag.

……

The car started smoothly and merged into Beijing's morning rush hour.

Forty minutes later.

A black Alphard is parked in the designated parking lot near the Shenwu Gate of the Forbidden City.

As soon as Fang Yu and Liu Yifei got out of the car, they saw Shen Weimin standing not far away.

Director Shen was still dressed simply.

He wore a dark blue jacket, a stainless steel thermos, and was accompanied by a young assistant wearing a work badge.

"Good morning, Director Shen."

Fang Yu took the initiative to walk over and greet him.

"They're here."

Shen Weimin nodded.

"Is everything ready?"

"Always be prepared."

Fang Yu grinned.

Liu Yifei also greeted them politely.

"Hello, Director Shen."

Shen Weimin nodded to her, and without much small talk, got straight to the point.

"Put the temporary passes on."

"Today we're going through the internal passage; the process is quite strict."

"After you go in, stay close to me, don't wander off, and don't leave the designated route without permission."

"rest assured."

Fang Yu pounded his chest loudly.

"I don't have many other strengths, my main strength is following the rules."

Liu Yifei turned her head and gave him a long, meaningful look.

He didn't say a word.

But the look in his eyes conveyed a very clear message.

—You'd better really be.

Fang Yu and Liu Yifei took out their temporary passes and hung them around their necks.

Led by Shen Weimin, the group bypassed the long queue of tourists outside Shenwu Gate and turned into an inconspicuous side gate.

The first checkpoint verifies documents.

The second checkpoint verifies personnel information and authorized scope.

After confirming that everything was correct, the group was officially allowed to pass.

The moment you step inside the palace walls, the noise of traffic and tourists outside seems to be cut off by the high walls.

The morning light shines over the palace walls and falls on the red walls and yellow tiles.

In the narrow palace corridor, only the sound of a few footsteps could be heard.

The blue bricks have been worn dark by the passage of time.

At the base of the wall, there was still a layer of morning frost that hadn't completely melted.

The palace before me was neither as bustling as it appears on camera, nor as noisy as it is with crowds of people.

It simply stood quietly in the morning light.

Silence, yet it carries weight.

"We won't follow the central axis today."

Shen Weimin walked at the front, and lowered his voice.

"There are too many tourists there, which would easily attract a crowd, making it unsuitable for photography."

"We'll mainly be looking at two places today."

"First, the site of the ancient building restoration."

"Secondly, several palaces that are not open to the public year-round."

He slowed his pace slightly.

"When writing the lyrics for 'The Forbidden City,' one cannot only look at its current glory."

"You also need to see its most original form, the one closest to the passage of time itself."

Fang Yu nodded.

The nonchalant look on his face gradually disappeared.

This time, he listened very attentively.

Liu Yifei was also quietly observing her surroundings.

She had visited the Forbidden City many times before.

But in the past, we always just followed the crowd.

What we see is the Forbidden City through the lenses of tourists, and also the Forbidden City in the tour guide's narration.

This is the first time I've ever stood on nearly deserted blue bricks, watching the morning light slowly creep over the red wall.

soon.

Shen Weimin led the two to a moon gate.

There was a sign standing by the door.

— This is a closed area; visitors are not permitted to enter.

As you pass through the moon gate, the scenery inside changes dramatically.

Several palaces were surrounded by scaffolding.

The building was completely encased in dark green protective netting.

On the ground, large pieces of timber, gray bricks and tiles, and various tools were neatly arranged in categories.

Dozens of craftsmen dressed in blue overalls were scattered in various locations.

Someone was bending down, polishing the beams and pillars.

Someone was holding a carving knife, carefully repairing the damaged windowpane.

Others stood on high ground, intently restoring the faded and mottled paintings under the eaves.

No one was talking loudly at the scene.

All I could hear were the sounds of wood rubbing together, the tapping of the carving knife, and the fine rustling of sandpaper.

Busy, but not chaotic at all.

Everyone is focused on their own tasks.

"This is the ancient building restoration area."

Shen Weimin lowered his voice and gestured with his chin forward.

"Come on, let me take you over to say hello."

Not far away.

An experienced craftsman is using a measuring tape to inspect a palace door that is half-repaired.

"Master Liang."

Shen Weimin called out.

The experienced craftsman looked up at the sound.

He looked to be in his early sixties, with gray hair, and his blue work clothes were faded from washing.

"Director Shen."

Master Liang put away the measuring tape and patted the sawdust off his hands.

"What brings you here today?"

"I brought two young people who were involved in the documentary research to come and take a look."

Shen Weimin stepped aside, making way for Fang Yu and Liu Yifei.

"This is Fang Yu."

"This is Liu Yifei."