Chapter 130 The Magic of Time
The drama "Mountains and Rivers" had a very good viewing effect, and even though it has been almost a month since it ended, it still occasionally trends on social media. The main creators are also frequently invited to attend various grand events.
Zhao Feiyan, as a standout supporting actress, gained countless fans and naturally received many offers. However, she had no interest in the world of fame and fortune, preferring to stay in the ancient town rehearsing dances with Li Guinian and others, so she declined them all, much to the disappointment of her fans.
Although she didn't attend the event, her role was frequently mentioned, and many talented people even created numerous videos, spreading some of the highlights even further. Even those who hadn't watched the series would exclaim, "Ah, that's the Empress!" when they saw Zhao Feiyan.
Zhao Feiyan had a vague sense of the coming opportunity when the TV series ended, and now, she has finally achieved her goal.
"That's wonderful!" Lu Xiaoqi was overjoyed and jumped up, not even having time to check the system notification, and hugged her tightly. "Congratulations, congratulations!"
One of her biggest problems has finally been solved!
Joy shone in Zhao Feiyan's eyes. After a full year and a half, everything had finally settled. From now on, she could continue her life in this bustling world and begin a new chapter. A myriad of emotions welled up within her.
Hearing their conversation, Sister-in-law Song Wu, who was standing nearby, beamed with joy and kept repeating, "That's wonderful, that's wonderful!"
Because of the camaraderie forged in their shared struggles at the small restaurant, her relationship with Zhao Feiyan was the strongest. The two lived in the same building in Zone 4, and their villas in the staff housing complex were also next to each other.
Sister-in-law Song was genuinely happy for her.
Soon, Yuwen Kai, Su Jun, and the others also learned of the news and came to offer their congratulations. Everyone knew that Zhao Feiyan's mission had been delayed for a long time.
Xiao Meiyun and Lu Xuejun, sitting in the back, curiously nudged Lu Xiaoqi: "What's wrong?"
Lu Xiaoqi chuckled awkwardly and made up a random excuse to brush it off: "It's nothing, it's just that Sister Zhao had some good news."
So Xiao Meiyun also thanked Zhao Feiyan, which made her daughter secretly laugh as she watched.
Once the atmosphere finally calmed down and everyone started watching the Spring Festival Gala happily again, she and Zhao Feiyan secretly checked their task completion rewards.
"My 'Dance of the City' is actually not that bad," Zhao Feiyan said after reading the system's description. She wasn't too excited and didn't think the skill was too overpowered. "It just allows me to learn any dance at a glance and then bring the audience into the dance's emotions more effectively."
Compared to other people's skills, she felt that her skill was nothing special.
Lu Xiaoqi clapped her hands excitedly: "That's great! When combined with the Hua'e Xianghui Tower and the Rainbow Dance Dance, it'll be a killer! And you can take on more dance dramas then, you'll definitely become a leading figure in the dance drama world!"
Zhao Feiyan was taken aback by what she said. She looked into Lu Xiaoqi's eyes, which sparkled in the night and under the light of the large screen, sincere and excited. She genuinely thought her skill was quite good.
The slight disappointment in Zhao Feiyan's heart was immediately washed away by the starlight in her eyes.
Yes, this is truly a very suitable and fitting special ability for me. And at the beginning, wasn't my only thought just to survive? How come I'm starting to feel dissatisfied now?
She immediately became alert, suddenly remembering her past self. It was this dissatisfaction that led her step by step to the end.
For Zhao Yizhu, who came from a humble background, that was a path to heaven. But now, she no longer needed to climb that path. Otherwise, she could have easily accepted the invitations to the world of fame and fortune and continued to be involved in it.
The current Zhao Feiyan has defeated the former Zhao Yizhu.
Zhao Feiyan suddenly understood what she really wanted and felt relieved.
She held Lu Xiaoqi's hand: "You're right, this is indeed a skill that suits me very well."
"And you even helped me get the Heart of Architecture!"
Lu Xiaoqi then went to her system space to check the three fragments of the Heart of Architecture she had acquired. Li Bing, Yuwen Kai, and Zhao Feiyan each contributed one fragment. It had been almost two years! She had only just collected the entire item. If it wasn't useful or practical, she would be quite disappointed.
In the system space, she easily opened her warehouse and retrieved the three fragments.
An option immediately popped up:
【Should we synthesize it?】
After clicking confirm, the three fragments immediately combine into a golden, shimmering five-pointed star.
[Click to use?]
Without even thinking, Lu Xiaoqi selected "Confirm," and then saw the ancient town model that had always existed in the space appear in mid-air. The architectural heart immediately floated above the model, turning into golden fragments that slowly merged with the ancient town.
During this process, she carefully examined the model of the ancient town and felt a closer connection with it. Compared to the initial scope, the model now includes the second phase of the lakeside project, a portion of Zhao Guo's farmland, and the staff residential area.
Lu Xiaoqi: "Why are the staff residential area included?"
The system said quietly, "Player, haven't you been observing it for too long?"
It's been around for at least six months now!
Lu Xiaoqi was speechless: "...I have so many things to do every day, who has time to stare at the sand table every day?" The more she spoke, the more self-righteous she felt. "Besides, as the system, shouldn't you have proactively reminded me when such changes occurred? You're being completely irresponsible!"
The system was speechless for a moment. Lu Xiaoqi guessed it wished it could take back what it had just said.
"The method for determining the ownership of the land parcels in the sand table is based on the ownership of the land parcels," the system explained sullenly.
"The ownership of the land?" Lu Xiaoqi immediately understood, because the land by the lake, including the land of the employee residential area, belonged to her or the company behind Qinghe Ancient Town, so it had gained recognition here on the model.
However, part of Zhao Guo's farmland was only leased, so the model did not include it within his sphere of influence.
No sooner had he finished speaking than the architectural concept and the model were integrated and the process was completed.
The system notification sounded:
"Player, the Architectural Heart you obtained has taken effect. The overall durability of buildings in Qinghe Ancient Town has been increased by 50%, and the antique atmosphere has been enhanced by 30%."
"You have been granted an opportunity to enhance your abilities for special buildings."
Lu Xiaoqi didn't need the system to explain the building's durability. Buildings require maintenance, especially wooden buildings located in the humid and rainy Jiangnan region. A lot of manpower and resources need to be invested in maintenance and repair, otherwise they will fall into disrepair in no time.
Therefore, improving durability is actually a very useful feature.
The antique atmosphere was self-evident from the text. Something vaguely flashed through Lu Xiaoqi's mind, but she didn't pay attention to it and focused her attention on the last item.
Enhance the capabilities of special buildings?
System: "Please select an existing special building in the sandbox. The power of creation contained within the building's core will enhance its original function based on the building's characteristics and current state. Please note that this choice is irreversible, so please decide carefully."
Lu Xiaoqi's gaze swept across the sand table.
Special buildings... her choices weren't actually that many: the Illusionary Sound Pavilion, the VR Experience Hall, the Hua'e Xianghui Building (currently under construction), and the library.
Her fingers unconsciously tapped on the sand table—the ability of the Illusionary Sound Pavilion was already excellent, and the Flower Calyx Radiant Pavilion could be used in conjunction with Li Guinian's "Feast of Bliss," so the library felt there was no need to improve any special abilities.
Finally, she stopped at a building that had garnered the most praise and attracted the most attention in Qinghe Ancient Town.
"A VR experience center," Lu Xiaoqi said. "I want to see what it will be like after its capabilities are enhanced."
Is it about adding more seats, or will there be some more fundamental changes?
She was very curious.
After the system confirmed that everything was correct, the opportunity was given to the VR experience center.
The VR experience center is currently undergoing upgrades, which will last for fifteen days.
Lu Xiaoqi chuckled to herself. It really was perfect; it happened right after the Lantern Festival, perfectly avoiding the entire Spring Festival holiday. Fortunately, the system upgrade didn't affect the current facilities, otherwise she would have gone berserk.
After reviewing everything, Lu Xiaoqi glanced at the sand table and noticed that it had undergone some changes. The sharp, brand-new brilliance of everything seemed to have softened considerably, becoming more gentle.
She realized that this must be the effect of the antique atmosphere on the ancient town, which was reflected in the model.
It works quite quickly.
Lu Xiaoqi didn't take it seriously and was about to exit the system space when, in that split second, she froze for a moment and finally remembered where her strange behavior had come from:
"Wait, wait... It has a classic, antique feel! It's an employee residential area!!"
Holy crap! Will her brand-new apartment complex suddenly turn into a run-down old neighborhood?!
......
After the vigil ended, everyone conscientiously cleaned up the items and trash in the square, restoring it to its original state. A cleaning company truck will come to clean it up tomorrow morning.
Many people had to get up early the next day and go to work, so they didn't stay up too late and went to sleep after midnight. One by one, the lights in Qinghe Ancient Town went out, leaving only the moonlight, like water, accompanying everyone into a sweet dream.
As the boss, Lu Xiaoqi originally had the right to sleep in. She could have slept until after nine o'clock, then had a nice breakfast at home, and even relaxed at home if nothing unexpected happened. But she got up promptly at eight o'clock.
"Why did you wake up so early?" Xiao Meiyun asked, puzzled, and brought her breakfast.
"I've already developed a biological clock." Lu Xiaoqi grabbed a steamed bun and wolfed it down. "Where's Dad?"
"He went out to see what was going on with Teacher Yuwen." Xiao Meiyun couldn't help but roll her eyes. "They've been watching for so long, and I still don't know what's so interesting!"
Lu Xiaoqi couldn't help but laugh.
Her dad loves to join in the fun. While others would rush away from a huge crowd, he'd insist on squeezing in, finding it amusing. But how did he end up with Yuwen Kai?
Xiao Meiyun cleared up her doubts: "They agreed to have breakfast in Zone Two and then go fishing together. The weather is nice today!"
Lu Xiaoqi immediately understood.
Since Zhao Guo turned his hundred-acre farm into a proper operation, the employees of Qinghe Ancient Town have had many more fun things to do in their spare time. They can pick vegetables or catch shrimp at the farm. Another group of people have become obsessed with fishing, because Zhao Guo dug a large fishpond on the farm.
Her father loved fishing, and for a time he did it rain or shine, even more so than Xiao Meiyun was addicted to mahjong. The two even had a big fight about it, which made Lu Xuejun tone it down a bit. Later, he developed a herniated disc and couldn't sit or stand for long periods, so he finally gave up the hobby completely.
But ever since they arrived in Qinghe Ancient Town, Lu Xiaoqi took him to Guanmai Hall, where Doctor Zhang and Doctor Gao treated him for a period of time. His old back problems improved greatly, and he could stand or sit for long periods without much trouble. But now, Lu Xuejun's fishing addiction, which had been dormant for many years, suddenly resurfaced like wild grass in spring, and it was even more intense than before.
The fishpond at Zhao Guo's farm has become his happy hometown.
What Lu Xiaoqi didn't expect was that once when Yuwen Kai went to discuss the renovation of the farm with Zhao Guo, he observed the fishpond. It turned out that this renowned architect, who had designed and built countless magnificent structures, had also developed a strong interest in fishing.
In his words, he felt that the process of waiting for the fish to take the bait had a certain significance in comprehending the secrets of heaven and calming the mind. Upon hearing this, Wang Wei immediately felt that what Yuwen Gong said made a lot of sense.
As a result, the "air force" in the ancient town grew larger and larger.
Listening to her mother's complaints, Lu Xiaoqi couldn't help but laugh: "It's good. Having a hobby is better than staying cooped up at home. Just make sure he doesn't get too addicted, his back can't take it."
She quickly finished her breakfast, grabbed her coat, and prepared to leave.
"Mom, I'm going out for a bit!"
Xiao Meiyun was clearing the dishes when she heard this and looked up: "So rushed? Where are you going?"
"I'll go check out the new neighborhood!" Lu Xiaoqi had been thinking about this matter and hadn't slept well at night, so she kept moving around.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Meiyun immediately took off her apron: "Wait! I'll go too! I'll go check how well our house is ventilated and open all the windows to let in some fresh air." She was a restless person, especially when it came to their new home, she was even more enthusiastic.
Lu Xiaoqi: "Okay."
The mother and daughter then went out together and headed towards the staff quarters.
Lu Xiaoqi felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation, wondering what the capabilities of the Architecture Heart would bring to her new neighborhood.
After the staff housing complex was completed, she had a new dock built by the lake. It's not open to the public yet, but employees going to work on the second phase of the project can use their cards to enter and exit, which is much faster than taking a detour. Later, when everyone moves to their new homes, this will become a regular route to work.
As soon as she stepped into the residential area, Lu Xiaoqi's anxiety subsided.
Thankfully, it didn't become a dilapidated old neighborhood overnight.
The system protested, "Player, I'm an intelligent system! 'Ancient and quaint' doesn't mean dilapidated, and there's no dilapidated area in the ancient town!"
Lu Xiaoqi chuckled a few times, mentally reassuring it, "Alright, alright, I was overthinking it this time. It's very intelligent, very good!"
The neighborhood in front of her had not become dilapidated; on the contrary, it seemed to have been quietly polished by time, shedding all the "fiery" and harshness that was inevitable when it was newly built, and presenting a kind of beauty that was refined and gentle.
From the architecture itself to the details of the gardens, subtle changes have taken place. The entire community is tranquil and elegant, as if it were not a newly built residential complex, but a traditional garden courtyard that has been carefully maintained and inhabited for many years.
"Huh?" Xiao Meiyun slowed her pace, looked around, and a hint of doubt appeared on her face. "That's strange. Why do I feel like this neighborhood is a little different from when I came here last time?"
She couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed; the buildings were still the same, the roads were still the same, but the overall feeling was different.
Lu Xiaoqi: "Looks better now?"
"It seems so," Xiao Meiyun said, a little confused, "It looks even better now."
Lu Xiaoqi: "You're just using a filter, aren't you? This is your own home, the more you look at it, the more pleasing it is to the eye, the more you like it?"
Xiao Meiyun nodded after hearing what she said: "Maybe so."
Lu Xiaoqi continued in a relaxed tone, "But I feel the greenery has grown better. Look at these bamboos and plum blossoms; once they were planted and took root, the overall feel is much better. And with the good weather today, the sunshine makes it all the more special!"
Xiao Meiyun took a closer look at the indeed vibrant plants and the soft sunlight shining on the warm white walls, and she agreed that it made sense. Her doubts quickly dissipated, and she exclaimed in admiration, "You know what, this community is getting better and better the more you look at it, even more beautiful than in the renderings! It has such character! The old-style apartment complexes we used to see didn't have this feeling. Our own style is so comfortable and grand!"
The more she looked, the more satisfied she became. She enthusiastically pulled Lu Xiaoqi to see her own house, busy opening windows to ventilate it, having already forgotten the strange feeling she had just experienced.
Following behind her mother, Lu Xiaoqi watched the neighborhood quietly evolve under the power of the architecture, her heart filled with surprise. The antique atmosphere was even more effective than she had imagined! She was now starting to regret not having explored the ancient town earlier; she should have taken a closer look at its changes.
"Won't anyone notice?" she asked the system.
System: "Don't worry, player. The change won't happen overnight, but will be gradually completed over several months. Of course...t...the effects might be more noticeable on the first day."
"Don't you feel like something's a little different?" Aunt Wang, a cleaner who was strolling around the No. 1 area of the ancient town, stopped sweeping and looked around with some doubt, asking her colleague Sister Li next to her.
Sister Li looked up at the familiar bluestone path and upturned eaves with a puzzled expression: "Huh? Something's not right? I don't see anything wrong. Wasn't all the trash swept away?"
“It’s not about hygiene,” Aunt Wang frowned, trying to describe the feeling. “It’s just that the wooden railings seem a bit smoother to the touch? And the moss in the corner over there seems to be a more pleasing green? Oh, I can’t really explain it, but I just feel that this ancient town looks particularly comfortable today, and I feel at ease.”
The green tiles and white walls before me remain the same, but the white walls seem to have taken on a softer, warmer hue, as if kissed by the setting sun; the dark tiles are a deeper color, gleaming with a moist sheen, like the aftermath of a misty rain in Jiangnan. The newly transplanted bamboo and plum blossoms between the buildings seem to have blended into the environment even more overnight, their branches strong and their green leaves vibrant.
Hearing this, Sister Li looked at it carefully and nodded hesitantly: "Now that you mention it, it does seem a bit like that? I guess it's because it rained a little yesterday, the air was fresh, and the sunlight was soft, so everything looked beautiful! Besides, we see them every day, so we probably don't even notice, but as the trees and grass grow, they just look different!"
"That makes sense." Aunt Wang thought about it and agreed.
The two laughed it off and stopped worrying about it, continuing their work with a strangely lighter feeling in their hearts.
Such subtle observations and spontaneous rationalizations occur in every corner of the ancient town.
The employees responsible for wiping the pillars felt that the wood grain seemed deeper and softer today; the gardeners pruning the flowers and trees felt that the plants seemed more natural and elegant; even the security guards on patrol felt that the stone path under their feet seemed more stable and solid to walk on.
They live in the ancient town day after day and are not very sensitive to such changes, but the feedback from tourists is direct.
A tourist from northern China, who was visiting with his parents, couldn't help but exclaim, "Mom and Dad, look at this place in Jiangnan! It's so well-built. It looks new, but it's not flashy at all. I was worried that you wouldn't find this new place interesting."
His father was a refined old man, clearly very learned. He walked slowly with his hands behind his back, carefully examining the carvings on the wall and the cobblestone mosaic under his feet, nodding in satisfaction: "Hmm, not bad, not bad. This craftsman is meticulous, with the feel of old-fashioned craftsmanship, not the kind of cheap imitation. This place is nice, comfortable to stay here."
His mother agreed: "Yes, and there seems to be a faint scent of wood and plants in the air, which smells very pleasant, unlike the commercial street smell in some tourist areas."
This time, we really chose the right place.
Those tourists who had visited long ago were particularly keen to notice this change.
A young couple from Shanghai were taking pictures while talking in hushed tones.
"I feel like it looks even better than when we came last time..." the girl whispered to her boyfriend. She thought for a moment, but couldn't quite describe the feeling, so she could only say, "It looks even better?"
The boyfriend adjusted the camera, nodding repeatedly: "I noticed that too. It's just that the overall feel seems a bit old. I used to think this place was great everywhere, the only downside was that it was newly built, too new, and lacked a certain charm. But now, it seems different."
The white walls don't seem so white anymore; there seems to be a little bit of moss growing at the base; the paint on the building doesn't seem as bright; and the wood seems a bit dull.
But! It actually feels even better.
Every detail exudes a composure and elegance that can only be cultivated over the years.
"That's the magic of time." The girl was thoughtful and even sighed. "It's only been half a year since I last came, but the flavor has completely changed. So, nothing can stop the passage of time."
Her boyfriend sighed, "It seems good things really do need time to develop. This atmosphere is amazing! I should have brought that more expensive lens!"
girl:"......"
I really want to punch him!
Visitors naturally attribute this stunning transformation to the passage of time and the natural integration with the environment. They no longer feel that this is a "newly built imitation ancient scenic spot," but rather as if they have stepped into a truly well-preserved classical town that has been gently treated by time, raising their evaluation of Qinghe Ancient Town to a new level.
......
At that moment, by the fishpond at Zhao Guo's farm, Lu Xiaoqi was intently watching her father, Yuwen Kai, and Zhao Guo fish together. A little while later, Wang Wei strolled over. However, he didn't bring any fishing gear; he simply joined Lu Xiaoqi's group, watching the two fish.
The second phase of the project will also be closed for the Spring Festival holiday, so Yuwen Kai and Wang Wei, these two very busy people, will finally be able to rest for a few days.
The fishpond was quiet for a moment, with only the rustling of the wind through the withered reeds and the soft sound of the fishing line entering the water. Lu Xuejun stared intently at the float, while Yuwen Kai appeared even more calm and composed.
Wang Wei walked a little further away, and everything before him—the shimmering water, the angler's steadfast silhouette, the wisps of smoke rising from the farmhouses in the distance, and the distant, bluish-gray mountain outlines—transformed into a beautiful picture in his vision.
His gaze gradually focused, and his fingers unconsciously traced lines in the air, as if trying to capture the interplay of light and shadow.
Suddenly, Lu Xuejun's float sank sharply! He was so excited he almost threw down his fishing rod, frantically reeling in the line while shouting, "It's here! It's a big one!"
Yuwen Kai was also drawn to the scene and put down his fishing rod to help. The commotion also alerted Wang Wei, but he did not step forward. Instead, he narrowed his eyes slightly, taking in the vivid "fish-fighting scene"—the old man's focused yet flustered posture, the friend's eagerness to help, and the fishing line glistening with water droplets in the sunlight—with a faint smile playing on his lips.
After a struggle, a plump grass carp was pulled out of the water, leaping and thrashing in the sunlight, its scales shimmering. Lu Xuejun was extremely pleased with himself and was about to put the fish in the fish basket when he took a closer look and exclaimed, "Huh!"
Two fishhooks were clearly visible hanging from the fish's lips!
"Good heavens!" Lu Xuejun exclaimed, both amused and exasperated. "Isn't this the same fishhook I used last time?!"
Yuwen Kai took a closer look and solemnly commented, "This fish is destined to be with Brother Lu; it is fitting that it takes your bait today."
Looking at this delightful scene, Wang Wei's smile deepened, and he couldn't help but nod and say softly, "The winter charm of the wild pond is an unexpected delight, and it has also been captured in a painting."
Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaoqi turned to look at him and immediately asked, "Teacher Wang, shall I bring you paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones?"
She knew Wang Wei was a master of both poetry and painting, especially landscapes and pastoral scenes. Since she was in the mood, she couldn't miss the opportunity! She had never seen Wang Wei paint before! Maybe she could pester him to give her one, hehehe.
Lu Xiaoqi had a very beautiful dream.
Wang Wei was taken aback, but immediately nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble you, young friend Lu."
He had already decided that once he got back, he would lay out paper and grind ink to capture the leisurely, rustic charm and unexpected joy he had just experienced on paper. Being able to paint on the spot would be even better.
Lu Xiaoqi immediately made a phone call to someone in the ancient town who had free time, asking them to bring over writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. She and Lu Xuejun then moved a square table out from the farmhouse. In an instant, the place gained a touch of elegance.
Lu Xuejun joked, "Looks like I'll have to play the role of a model today."
In his eyes, these people were all highly educated, speaking with the refined manner of scholars. Lu Xuejun, a former teacher, didn't take it to heart, instead finding it elegant and interesting, and he got along well with them. Sometimes he would even adopt that tone in his own speech, and then go back and not change it, which Xiao Meiyun disliked, teasing him for imitating others poorly.
Of course, Lu Xuejun thought she lacked refinement. They'd bickered their whole lives; it was part of the charm of their relationship.
Wang Wei chuckled and said, "Brother Lu, just fish naturally as before."
Lu Xuejun chuckled and said, "Okay."
They continued fishing before the goods arrived.
After a few minutes, Wang Wei said helplessly, "Brother Lu, you're standing too stiffly. Be more natural."
Lu Xiaoqi was almost laughing her head off at her dad: "Dad, don't worry about your image!"
Just then, Xiao Meiyun came over carrying an empty bamboo basket: "Qiqi, come on, let's not stand here in the wind, let's go pick strawberries!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaoqi immediately and cheerfully replied, "Okay!"
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