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

at the same time.

The CCTV building, the coordination office of the documentary project team for "The Forbidden City".

On the LCD screen covering half the wall, the real-time viewership curve for the first episode was still climbing, and its popularity across the internet was constantly breaking records.

Old Zhou sat in front of the screen, tapping the desktop with his fingers, his excitement barely concealed.

Having spent most of my life making documentaries, I'm used to things taking a while to warm up.

It aired first, then gained traction.

Viewers followed the series episode by episode, and word-of-mouth gradually built up.

But tonight, the first episode of "The Forbidden City" had just ended when related topics immediately surged into the center of the online hot search, completely overshadowing a bunch of entertainment gossip and celebrity gossip.

Documentaries are trying to reduce viewership?

This would have been unthinkable in the past.

Old Zhou finally couldn't hold back any longer and turned to look at Shen Weimin, who was still leisurely drinking tea beside him.

"Old Shen, this time, we've really managed to bring in the young audience."

Shen Weimin didn't rush to reply.

He slowly unscrewed the lid of the thermos, bent down to blow away the broken Tieguanyin tea leaves floating on the surface, took a sip with relish, and remained completely composed.

But deep down, I thought the same thing as Lao Zhou.

In the past, when making such heavy historical works, the biggest worry was that young audiences wouldn't buy into them.

During meetings at the station, someone always complains that "young people these days can't sit still" and "can't watch such a long historical film."

But tonight's data slapped all those words in the face.

It's not that young people don't love traditional culture.

You have to find the right people and deliver these things in a way that they can understand.

Fang Yu is the one who can bring 600 years of history to the hands of young people.

"However, Lao Shen, there's been a little trouble online lately."

Old Zhou picked up the phone on the table, swiped open the Weibo interface and handed it over, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Fang Yu is too strange. The audience doesn't believe at all that he sang the opera-style singing in 'Brightness'."

"Guess what the whole internet is saying? They're saying we accidentally typed the wrong subtitles during post-production."

Shen Weimin glanced down at the screen.

The screen was filled with comments like "The subtitles are to blame," "CCTV accidentally posted the wrong thing," and "The temporary workers on the set should be punished."

His lips twitched, but he didn't say anything.

"Should we have the official Weibo account issue a detailed statement to clarify the situation?"

Old Zhou looked up tentatively.

"or--"

He leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"Why don't we just release the video of Fang Yu singing opera in front of us at the Palace Museum staff canteen that day?"

"Xiao Zhang recorded it with his phone, it's a complete, unfiltered recording, if it's released, they'll be crushed."

Upon hearing this, Shen Weimin immediately shook his head.

Release behind-the-scenes footage to prove his innocence?

That's something that fan groups and variety shows do.

CCTV has its own dignity, and national-level projects have their own strengths.

What do you call someone who jumps out and posts a video as soon as they get a few comments from netizens?

That's called lowering yourself.

"No further explanation needed."

Shen Weimin put down his teacup, speaking calmly and unhurriedly.

"Just have the official Weibo account post an update explaining the situation."

"No need for lengthy explanations, and no need to argue with anyone."

Old Zhou was taken aback: "Send what? What should it say?"

"Four words."

Shen Weimin picked up the thermos and gently blew on it.

The subtitles are correct.

When those four words came crashing down, Old Zhou was stunned for a moment.

He then slapped his thigh and burst out laughing.

high!

Do not shout yourself aloud to prove your innocence, and do not pile up any evidence.

You can question what you want, I'll affirm what I believe in.

This is the composure that a national-level blockbuster should possess.

……

A Weibo post late at night.

The noise did not subside as night deepened; instead, it grew even louder.

Just as countless netizens were demanding an explanation from CCTV, and some wealthy individuals even offered a reward to find the mysterious expert,

The official Weibo account of "The Forbidden City" quietly released a new update.

There were no accompanying pictures, no lengthy essays, and no behind-the-scenes audio evidence.

Even the punctuation marks exude an air of "I'm too lazy to talk to you anymore".

Only one sentence.

Regarding the recent online inquiries about the cast and crew list for the documentary's end credits song, "Light," the production team hereby confirms: the subtitles are correct. Thank you for your attention and support.

The comment section exploded instantly.

【? ? ? ? ? ? 】

【Wait, wait, wait, what does this mean? The literal meaning? Are you sure it's not a typo??】

[Central Bank! I have a low level of education! Don't try to fool me with those four words!]

[The subtitles are correct... So, are Liu Yifei and Fang Yu really the only two singers of "Light"? No third?]

So... that female opera-style vocal... was sung by Fang Yu???

[No way! Fang Yu is a 1.83-meter-tall, burly man from Northeast China! The kind of ruthless bandit who could blow up his own toilet when he goes home for Chinese New Year! You're telling me that that pitiful, ethereal, chilling female opera-style vocal performance was sung by him?!]

An absurd and ridiculous conclusion, endorsed by the official four-word statement, was firmly nailed to the face of tens of millions of onlookers across the internet.

That divine female opera vocal style.

It really was Fang Yu who sang it!

The entire internet fell silent.

My values ​​have been shattered.

While everyone was still trying to piece their shattered values ​​back together—

The second nuclear bomb has landed.

Li Mei is a leading figure in the Peking Opera world, a direct descendant of the Mei School of Qingyi performers at the National Peking Opera Company.

Her official Weibo account was quietly updated with a long post late at night.

Not only did they share "Light".

It also included a long and detailed article.

In the article, this highly respected veteran artist in the opera world first praised Liu Yifei's pop vocals with great professionalism, and affirmed her delicate and measured expression of emotions.

Then, the tone shifted.

She recounted in detail how, a few days ago, she ran into the "Forbidden City" project team at the Palace Museum staff canteen and witnessed and heard Fang Yu sing this opera-style song a cappella without any accompaniment!

She devoted three whole paragraphs to recalling Fang Yu's chilling pronunciation, articulation, breath control, and vocal style at the time.

And at the end of the long article.

Li Mei wrote the following passage—

"Having heard it firsthand, I knew that young Fang Yu was exceptionally gifted, possessing a voice and aptitude that were rare indeed. If he could dedicate himself to his studies, given time, he might very well make a name for himself on the Peking Opera stage. It's a pity that this young man is a complete money-grubber. He told me right then and there that he wanted to stay in the entertainment industry to earn money and get married, and he absolutely refused to come to my Peking Opera troupe to take on a leading role. It is truly a great loss to our opera world!"

This Weibo post was published.

The entire internet went crazy.

First of all--

It's definitely true that it uses Peking opera singing style!

Not only did he sing it himself, but he also sang it a cappella without needing any auto-tuning, creating a truly amazing performance that stunned Peking Opera masters!

He is a pillar of the National Peking Opera Company, a legitimate successor of the Mei School, and one of the most senior figures in the opera world. He has heard about it firsthand and personally wrote a long article to verify it.

At this point, there were no further objections.

That stunningly beautiful female opera voice that captivated millions was sung by Fang Yu—that social tyrant, the Northeastern carpenter, the suona prankster, and the toilet demolition expert!

Secondly—

The phrase "making money to marry a wife" has directly dragged the originally serious cultural topic that was trending back into the saccharine scent of romance.

CP fans are practically ecstatic.

【Aaaaaaah!! Making money to get married!! Teacher Li Mei, you not only confirmed the live singing, but you also fed me a whole ton of dog food, didn't you!!】

[National Peking Opera Company: We offer you the best stage, the most advanced resources, and the deepest heritage. Fang Yu: Sorry, my wife is quite expensive.]

[@Liu Yifei, look at him! He's even given up national treasures to marry you! You should marry him already! Don't hinder the great cause of national cultural revival!]