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

8 PM.

CCTV-1.

The 100-episode historical and cultural documentary series "The Forbidden City" premiered on time without any overwhelming trending topics or flashy promotions.

These types of programs have always had their own entry requirements.

The audience is mostly a fixed group that genuinely loves history and culture and is used to finding spiritual nourishment in documentaries.

The viewership ratings have remained consistently high year after year, demonstrating remarkable stability.

The production team never intended to rely on popular celebrities to boost ratings.

That doesn't fit CCTV's style, and there's no need for it.

But tonight, things are clearly a little different.

……

"Dad! Don't wash anymore!"

"It's starting! It's starting!"

In a residential community in Beijing, the living room lights were on.

Wang Hao, a sophomore in college, was carrying a large bag of original flavor potato chips and shouting at the top of his lungs toward the kitchen.

Wang Jianguo is a long-time documentary enthusiast.

I watch almost every episode of history and culture programs on CCTV-1.

Hearing his son urging him, he slowly walked into the living room while wiping his hands with a towel.

"What's the rush?"

"The Forbidden City has been there for six hundred years, how could it possibly run away while I'm washing the dishes?"

After saying that, he sat down in the middle of the sofa.

But as soon as he sat down, Wang Jianguo felt something was wrong.

Today, the two young people in my family who usually go straight to their bedrooms after dinner were actually sitting obediently in front of the TV.

Wang Hao, the son, sat cross-legged, holding potato chips in his arms.

Wang Lin, the daughter who has been working for two years, held a hot milk tea in both hands without even glancing at her phone.

The siblings stared intently at the television, not even blinking.

His demeanor was even more devout than that of a seasoned documentary enthusiast.

Wang Jianguo was somewhat moved by what he saw.

It seemed like it had been a long time since the whole family had sat down together to watch TV like this.

The last time was on Lunar New Year's Eve.

But that day, the two little ones kept their heads down the whole time, one grabbing red envelopes and the other scrolling through Weibo.

The huge TV in the living room has been turned into a background speaker with a picture.

What's wrong with me today?

Has the sun risen in the west?

Are young people today starting to take the time to look at history?

"Sis, do you think Brother Yu's song is the opening or the ending theme?"

Wang Hao nudged Wang Lin with his elbow and lowered his voice.

"Everyone online is saying that Brother Yu got in through connections. I want to see how he proves them wrong tonight."

"It's definitely the opening sequence."

Wang Lin took a sip of milk tea and gave a very logical analysis.

"For a project as big as 'The Forbidden City,' the opening must be solid and grand. Don't you trust Brother Yu's creative abilities?"

Wang Jianguo, who was standing next to him, twitched his ears.

Brother Yu?

After all that, it turns out these two little brats weren't here to watch a documentary at all.

I'm here to see my idol!

Wang Jianguo frowned slightly, somewhat unconvinced.

It's normal for young people to idolize celebrities.

But can a young singer who has just debuted really handle such a serious and profound historical subject as "The Forbidden City"?

Don't end up with something that's neither fish nor fowl, ruining the overall feel of the film.

But then he thought about it again and swallowed his words.

In any case, it's a good thing that our two children were able to sit down and look at the things left by our ancestors by using their favorite celebrities.

On the television screen, the image changed from black to light.

A calm narration began.

Six hundred years of vicissitudes unfold slowly before the audience, accompanied by a series of profound historical scenes.

Immediately afterwards, no fancy special effects appeared in the center of the screen.

Only three large characters written with a brush are placed between the red walls and yellow tiles.

The Forbidden City

The brushstrokes are sharp as knives, with distinct sinews and bones.

Wang Jianguo's eyes lit up, and he subconsciously leaned forward.

"Beautiful handwriting!"

He couldn't help but slap his thigh.

"It has a solid foundation, the weightiness of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy, and the sharpness of the slender gold style. The structure is stable, but the momentum is not restrained at all."

"Those three words, that's skillful!"

After retiring, Wang Jianguo has been practicing calligraphy at the senior citizens' university.

Although my skill level is only amateur, I still have basic eyesight.

The three characters on the screen were written with such force that they seemed to penetrate the screen and sink into people's hearts.

Its structure is rigorous, yet it conceals a sharp edge and tension.

No matter how you look at it, it seems to be the work of a master calligrapher who has been immersed in calligraphy for decades.

Wang Lin and Wang Hao exchanged a glance.

The two men clearly had little interest in their father's calligraphy appreciation, merely nodding perfunctorily.

"Yes, yes, beautiful handwriting."

"Dad is right."

Their hearts had already flown to the opening theme song.

next second.

The powerful and resonant prelude suddenly erupted, filling the entire living room.

The siblings sat up straight at the same time.

In the lower left corner of the screen, lines of gold-plated subtitles slowly appeared.

【The Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth】

Lyrics by Fang Yu

[Composer: Fang Yu]

[Singer: Fang Yu]

"They're here!"

Wang Hao slapped the armrest of the sofa.

"Lyrics, composition, and vocals all handled—a triple kill!"

His movements were so exaggerated that the bag of potato chips in his arms almost flew off the spot.

"Keep your voice down!"

Wang Lin smacked him on the back of the head.

"Shut up, listen carefully!"

The next moment, Fang Yu's voice came from the television.

"This land, I begin with my pen..."

He lacked his usual casualness and the energy he had during live streams, always ready to create something funny.

At this moment, his voice was steady and firm.

It also carries the unique sharpness of youth.

Wang Jianguo was originally leaning back on the sofa, holding a teacup in his hand, with a somewhat critical look, like an older generation scrutinizing a young idol.

But as soon as he sang the first line, he stopped holding the cup.

As the song progressed, he slowly sat up straight.

The casualness on her face gradually disappeared.

"These dragon scales, once, fell to the ground with a clang like shattered ice..."

"A single scale, a fragment of heart, the story is precarious, I cannot bear to listen..."

Wang Jianguo paused, taking a deep breath.

The dragon scales landed like shattered ice.

The sound seemed to truly come from the red walls and yellow tiles of a six-hundred-year-old building.

Glory and ruin.

Prosperity and decline.

The unbearable pain of looking back at history, and the indomitable spirit etched in the blood of the nation, are all contained in just a few lines of lyrics.

As he listened, Wang Jianguo's eyes began to well up with tears.

This song is a perfect match for "The Forbidden City".

The song ended.

The documentary has officially begun.

The magnificent palace, precious cultural relics, and detailed historical materials, coupled with the calm and clear narration of a national-level announcer, slowly unfold the 600-year history of the past.

No one spoke in the living room.

Wang Jianguo watched intently.

Even Wang Lin and Wang Hao, who originally thought they wouldn't be able to get into the story, were drawn into the red walls and yellow tiles by the emotions unfolding in "Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales".

The potato chips in Wang Hao's arms didn't make a sound for a long time.

The milk tea in Wang Lin's hand gradually lost its heat.

For the first time, they discovered that history was not boring.

When those distant names, palaces, and artifacts are truly connected, six hundred years can come alive so vividly.

And this is just the opening sequence.