Chapter 293 Extra: Echoes of History

One year later, at Hall 1, Kyoto's largest cinema.

The lights were on full display, and every seat was taken.

The premiere of "Folk Customs: The Great Tang Dynasty" was held here. There were no boisterous cheers, nor the blinding flashes of light. The atmosphere in the hall was quiet and solemn, and the end credits slowly rolled on the huge screen.

As the last line of the cast list scrolled past, the screen went dark for a moment before lighting up again.

Instead of the usual Easter eggs or trailers, a simple yet weighty line of text appeared:

Special thanks to Mr. Du Qian.

The font is simple and ancient, carrying the weight of history.

Then, the camera slowly pans to the white jade calligraphy brush that sits quietly in the study, sunlight streaming through the window and scattering across the table, still warm and gentle.

The image froze again, and a few seconds later, the screen went completely dark.

There was no narration, no music, and even the visuals themselves completely disappeared.

However, in this extreme silence, Zhong Wan, sitting in the front row, seemed to hear a very faint yet incredibly clear sigh. The sound seemed to have crossed a thousand years, carrying a sense of relief and satisfaction, gently brushing past her ear, and finally disappearing into the heavy air in the theater.

The lights in the theater did not come on immediately; instead, the entire theater fell into a strange silence. There was no applause, no conversation, only faint, suppressed sobs and heavy breathing.

Many viewers were still immersed in the immense shock and sorrow brought by the film, their eyes reddening, and they had not yet recovered for a long time.

This film is less a historical film and more a profound dissection of the fabric of the Tang Dynasty, and a deep connection with the spirit of literati from a thousand years ago.

He didn't deliberately try to be sentimental, there were no stories that were just for the sake of being tormenting, and there were no messy emotions.

But with extremely restrained cinematic language and terrifyingly precise details, he vividly presented the prosperity and hidden worries of the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras, the ideals and struggles of literati, and the hardships and resilience of the common people at that time.

Pei Xubai's portrayal of the poet is no longer just a symbolic figurehead, but a flesh-and-blood individual who experiences pain and confusion, yet still manages to continue recording and speaking out even in despair.

Suddenly, someone took the lead, and with the first clapping, thunderous applause instantly swept through the entire hall.

The applause was long and enthusiastic, filled with respect and emotion for them.

The lights finally came on, and the main creative team, led by Director Li, walked onto the stage one by one. Everyone looked solemn and their eyes were filled with excitement.

They were greeted not by a cacophony of questions, but by a long and respectful round of applause.

They all knew what had happened to the film; it had been thought to be doomed, but now it had transformed and given them a huge surprise.

This thunderous applause is dedicated to the film, to the creative team and post-production staff who persevered, and even more so to that history that has been cleaned up and is now shining brightly again.

However, this cultural feast did not fade away with the end of the movie credits. On the contrary, it launched a grander and more far-reaching project called "Folk Customs Records".

The documentary and book publications were launched simultaneously with the film.

At the same time that their premiere ended, the truth behind the large-scale documentary "Records of Folk Customs," jointly funded and supported by relevant national departments and units, also premiered simultaneously on CCTV during prime time. The documentary did not repeat the story of the film.

Instead, the story revolves around Du Qian and the discovery and organization of the fragments of "Folk Customs Records," interspersed with numerous interpretations by historians, corroborating archaeological discoveries, and the meticulous research conducted by the production team in areas such as costumes, etiquette, architecture, and daily life to recreate history.

The first episode of the documentary opens with a close-up shot of a white jade calligraphy brush quietly displayed in a special glass case.

A calm voice-over begins: "It all started with a dialogue that spanned a thousand years, a pen that carried the unfinished mission of a scribe..." The camera then turns to the palace that the crew is rebuilding, the narration is brief but leaves endless room for imagination.

The documentary is authentic, rigorous, and tinged with a touch of mystery, complementing the artistic rendering of the film and creating a more three-dimensional and believable world of the Tang Dynasty for the audience.

At the same time, the highly anticipated edition of "Folk Customs Records (Annotated and Collated Edition)" published by a national-level publishing house, as well as the popular book "Understanding 'Folk Customs Records': Another Side of the Tang Dynasty," are also available in bookstores and online platforms across the country.

The academic version is substantial and rigorous, including all the deciphered fragments and detailed textual research notes; the popular version is richly illustrated and vividly written, narrating the various aspects of people's lives and social customs recorded in "Folk Customs Record".

Films, documentaries, and books—these three elements work in tandem, creating a powerful cultural synergy.

"The Folk Customs of the Tang Dynasty" has enjoyed a meteoric rise at the box office, breaking numerous records for historical dramas and winning countless awards both domestically and internationally. It has been praised for "redefining the depth and height of historical dramas" and for "every frame flowing with cultural essence."

The publication of "Records of Folk Customs" caused a lasting stir in the field of history, with countless papers developing from it and filling many gaps in the study of Tang Dynasty social history. Du Qian's name has transformed from a forgotten symbol into a respected pioneer in the hearts of historical researchers.

The popularity of documentaries and the bestseller status of popular books have brought "Du Qian, the official in charge of revising historical records" and "Records of Folk Customs" out of academic circles and into the public eye, making them well-known cultural symbols. People have begun to re-examine that period of history, no longer focusing solely on emperors, generals, and talented scholars and beauties, but turning their attention to the millions of ordinary people who formed the cornerstone of the Tang Dynasty.

Even Lin Yan'an and Pei Xubai's studios have become industry benchmarks, attracting a large number of idealistic and talented producers and actors. Their upcoming projects are also highly anticipated.

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But after the commotion, Zhong Wan's life returned to calm.

They returned to the quaint general store and resumed their daily business.

With nothing else to do, Zhong Suisui started going out and playing around, and occasionally she would be tricked into going with Pei Xingyu.

Zhong Wan's days became completely leisurely. She would occasionally take on a couple of small jobs and sometimes drag Lin Yan'an out for a couple of days. After relaxing so much, she felt like she had gained some weight from happiness.

But Lin Yan'an still thought his Wanwan was as beautiful as ever, and with nothing else to do, he started working on a new story.

This time... he wanted to write another story about the Song Dynasty.

However, he wasn't in a hurry; his life remained regular and peaceful.

Occasionally, Zhong Wan and I would quietly read books and research together, and sometimes we would go back to Old Zhong's house for a meal.

Occasionally, Lin Yan'an would stare blankly at that calligraphy brush.

He knew perfectly well that Mr. Du's obsession had long since vanished, yet it still felt like yesterday.

History may be merciless, but there will always be people willing to use their sincerity as a pen to leave evidence for the silent majority.

This is perhaps the best continuation of Mr. Du's integrity.

Outside the window, the moonlight was hazy, just like the night Zhong Wan first met Zhong Suisui. But this time, she felt no fear. However, looking at the moonlight outside the window, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness in her heart.

Zhong Wan raised her hand to her chest and frowned slightly as she looked at the moon outside the window.

She always felt... as if something bad was about to happen.

This was the first time Zhong Wan had felt this way, and she couldn't help but frown, quite puzzled.

"Wanwan? What's wrong?"

After a long silence, Lin Yan'an asked anxiously as she went downstairs, "Why haven't they come up yet?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Wan instantly snapped out of her daze. She glanced back at the direction of the stairs and replied, "I'll be right there."

After saying that, she turned around and slammed the door shut.

Seeing this, Lin Yan'an stopped and stood quietly waiting for her.

Upon seeing this, Zhong Wan instantly forgot about the strange feeling she had just experienced and ran briskly towards Lin Yan'an.

Zhong Wan wrapped her arms around Lin Yan'an's waist and said with a smile, "Have you been waiting long? Let's go upstairs."

Lin Yan'an nodded slightly upon hearing this, a smile playing on his lips for a second, and then reached out to wrap his arms around Zhong Wan's waist.

He paused for a moment, then said casually, "Let's go."

Hmm, he feels like his Wanwan has really gotten a little chubby.

At the very least, that soft little layer of flesh on her belly is something she never had before.

Zhong Wan didn't notice his unusual behavior. Instead, she happily put one arm around his waist and waved the other at A Gui, saying, "Goodnight, A Gui."

【Good evening. 】

Ah Gui calmly responded, then floated to its designated corner and began to rest.

Zhong Wan and Lin Yan'an were used to its presence and routine, and seeing this, they tacitly remained silent and quietly went upstairs.

Unexpectedly, just as the two reached the second floor, they heard someone knocking on the door.

Zhong Wan paused, turned to Lin Yan'an, and asked in confusion, "Someone's knocking?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan'an subconsciously turned his head to look at the first floor, but could not see the doorway.

He frowned, withdrew his hand from Zhong Wan's, and said in a low voice, "You go back first, I'll go down and take a look."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Wan shook her head without hesitation: "No, let's go down together."

After all, with so few people around, there are very few who would still come here.

In comparison, it's more likely to be a ghost.

As expected, Zhong Wan and the other person returned to the first floor and opened the door.

I spotted the faint, shadowy figure standing in the moonlight at a glance.

He possessed a refined and approachable demeanor, and his appearance was like that of an immortal.

He stood quietly at the door, watching Zhong Wan and the other person nod slightly, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips, his voice gentle yet full of apology: "Hello, I'm sorry to bother you so late at night."

—The End.

July 11, 2025 – December 1, 2025

It begins in early summer and ends in deep winter.

That's all for Zhong Wan and Lin Yan'an's story for now.

Although the story has come to an end, their lives continue.

I feel a little reluctant to part with it, but also a little happy.

I can't believe I actually wrote so much, over 600,000 words—I'm awesome!

(Hehe, allow me to be a little proud.)

Of course, I am most grateful to every friend who has silently supported me.

It is your companionship and support that gave me the strength to write all this way.

But it's time to say goodbye properly.

May we all be like Wanwan—

She's good-looking, rich, and has a loving partner.

Life may often have its disappointments, but I hope we can all be like her and always have the courage to never give up.

Finally, I wish everyone:

May all your journeys be smooth and all your wishes fulfilled.

If fate allows, we'll meet again on our next journey.

Bye-bye! ヾ(￣▽￣)Bye~Bye~