Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Fang Zhou had already bought the tickets. Shen Qingyuan took the tickets and checked the prices.
What? 180? The Forbidden City only costs 60 yuan during peak season. The fake is more expensive than the real thing.
"Thank you, I'll transfer the ticket money to you via WeChat." Shen Qingyuan said, taking her phone out of her bag.
"No need, no need," Fang Zhou quickly waved his hand and smiled, "It's just a matter of reciprocity. Your boss treated me yesterday. And you took the time to show me around, I'm very grateful."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyuan felt a little embarrassed and withdrew her hand, offering an alternative: "Then I'll treat you to dinner after we're done shopping."
Fang Zhou naturally agreed.
The Ming and Qing Palaces in Hengdian were built to a 1:1 scale of the Forbidden City. It is said that it took 8 years to build and involved blasting 13 mountain peaks.
During her ten years in Jicheng, Shen Qingyuan didn't visit the Forbidden City many times, maybe five or six times in total. This time, visiting the Ming and Qing Palaces in Hengdian, she couldn't resist comparing the two.
It's probably just a copy after all; it only captures the form, not the spirit. It lacks that so-called sense of history.
The Forbidden City is actually renovated to a brand-new condition, and you can often smell the pungent odor of paint near the Great Red Gate. But it's still different. The old objects exude a dignified aura of an observer. It's something that has been imbued with eight hundred years of history, something that cannot be imitated.
There are also advantages; tourists have a different kind of experience. For example, they can sit on the dragon throne and take photos.
Fang Zhou was eager to try it out; after all, he was a young man and always wanted to try new things.
"Qingyuan, do you want to take a picture together?" He pointed to the cosplay costumes displayed on one side, including emperor and empress costumes, in several different styles.
Although it was somewhat crudely made, and even inferior to the costumes of many TV drama production teams, it still looked somewhat decent.
Thinking about how these clothes pass through the hands of many tourists every day, leaving behind bacteria and body odor from all sorts of people, Shen Qingyuan laughed and waved her hand, "Go ahead and take pictures, I'll wait for you."
"Then wait for me a moment." Fang Zhou's face flushed slightly, perhaps feeling that if the two of them were to take photos dressed as the emperor and empress respectively, the implications would be a bit too strong. This kind of invitation was a bit too much.
Shen Qingyuan offered to help Fang Zhou carry his bag.
The robes are very loose; you can just drape them over your body. It's all done on an assembly line. All that's left is to pay, queue, and wait to have your photo taken.
Many tourists liked this attraction, and the room was noisy. Shen Qingyuan took a few steps towards the door.
She glanced back at the main hall, where the "dragon throne" covered with bright fabric silently received all kinds of tourists, adults and children alike, each with an excitement of "the emperor's throne rotates, and this year it's my turn."
A few seconds later, a question popped into Shen Qingyuan's mind: I wonder if Ye Chuyang has ever filmed a movie here? Emperor, minister, general, or... eunuch, he must have played one at least once.
-
She only heard the phone ringing after walking a distance. Shen Qingyuan was carrying a bag, snacks, and bottled water, and she also helped Fang Zhou with a leather bag. She answered the phone in a fluster.
She assumed it was Song Ting coming to find out what was going on, and her tone was impatient as soon as she spoke: "Hey, aren't you annoying me?!"
Her voice was a little coquettish, a little impatient, and also revealed a hint of intimacy.
Ye Chuyang was stunned for a moment.
This was the first time he had experienced this side of Shen Qingyuan; how should I put it, she seemed a bit down-to-earth.
He always felt that Shen Qingyuan was not real, too much like an AI, rarely showing emotions and never talking about private matters.
There was silence on the phone for a while. Shen Qingyuan sensed something was wrong and glanced at the screen. It wasn't Song Ting. It was her employer.
Oops.
"Dr. Shen..." A voice finally came from the phone, "Have I disturbed you?"
He emphasized the word "you all," his voice carrying a subtle chill.
Shen Qingyuan coughed lightly and left the main hall. "I'm sorry, I didn't see clearly just now. I thought it was Song Ting."
Ye Chuyang had actually guessed it.
Shen Qingyuan: "What do you need me for? Is your back bothering you?"
She's completely treating herself as her personal doctor; the "old classmate" label seems to have lost all meaning. Instead, she's happily going on trips with "friends" who've come from afar!
Ye Chuyang felt a slight pang of sadness in her heart.
The more I savored it, the more unpleasant it felt.
Seeing that there was no response from the other end of the phone, Shen Qingyuan said again, "...Ye Chuyang? If you're not feeling well, I'll go back right away."
"No need," Ye Chuyang finally said. "Call Xiao Chao when you're done, and he'll come pick you up."
Shen Qingyuan felt it was inappropriate; how could she, a mere employee, trouble her employer's assistant?
Is a short-term worker exploiting a long-term worker?
"No need, no need, I'll just take a taxi back, it'll be quick." Shen Qingyuan laughed it off, thinking the other person was just being polite.
“It’s hard to get a taxi in the scenic area,” Ye Chuyang said coldly, his tone carrying an undeniable forcefulness. “Besides… I want to get my physical therapy done as soon as possible.”
He said that, and Shen Qingyuan felt she couldn't refuse. He was doing her a favor for his own convenience.
However, when she asked him at noon, he said he was having physiotherapy that evening. Shen Qingyuan subconsciously checked her phone; it was only two o'clock. Wasn't it a bit too early to urge him now?
When a matter that was postponed is urged to be done long in advance, it creates a strange sense of pressure and makes people a little irritable. However, due to the pressure of authority, one cannot directly confront the person.
The so-called class divide.
The so-called capitalists exploit surplus value.
It's not just the workers' time that's being squeezed, but also their mindset, making them think about work even during their free time, feeling the pressure of work, and mentally preparing them for work at all times.
Zhou Bapi!
With a listless voice, Shen Qingyuan replied, "I know."
Feeling a little better, Ye Chuyang remembered Xiao Chao's clumsy but effective way of picking up girls, "Shen Qingyuan, you..." He paused.
Just as the other end was about to hang up, someone asked, "What?"
"You—" Ye Chuyang became inexplicably nervous, "What clothes are you wearing today?" He closed his eyes before finishing the last two words.
Shen Qingyuan: ? ? ?
There was no sound.
All I could hear through the receiver was the noisy background noise from the scenic area.
Silence breeds pressure, and pressure breeds panic. Ye Chuyang admits he's starting to back down.
On the other end of the phone, Shen Qingyuan was pacing near the door, somewhat confused, wondering if she hadn't heard clearly. She looked up and saw Fang Zhou sitting on the throne.
Fang Zhou didn't choose the gleaming gold imperial robe, but instead opted for a gray imperial casual suit, topped with a Ming-style crown. His fair skin and well-defined features made him appear quite imposing in this attire.
Fang Zhou also saw Shen Qingyuan, grinned at the doorway, and waved.
The photographer asked him to take off his glasses, and Fang Zhou then turned his head to cooperate with the photoshoot.
"I mean..." came the voice from the receiver, "Well, it's quite hot today, Dr. Shen, please take precautions against heatstroke to avoid affecting your work."
Ye Chuyang's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.
I was so nervous, that was close.
Shen Qingyuan (OS): Am I a three-year-old?
With Shen Qingyuan's intelligence, she could have noticed some clues. However, for over a decade, she had been studying the human body, or more specifically, human bones. She lacked knowledge of, and was not particularly interested in, the intricacies and scheming in men's minds.
So she shrugged and easily believed Ye Chuyang's excuse that he was reminding her to take precautions against heatstroke so that she wouldn't have to miss work due to heatstroke.
It's really hot in Hengdian today.
Shen Qingyuan said "Oh" politely, "I understand, thank you."
"..." Ye Chuyang said reservedly, "Then remember to contact Xiao Chao and come back soon."
-
Shen Qingyuan turned off her phone screen, sighed, and put the phone back in her bag.
Fang Zhou has already finished taking the photos, and we'll get the printed ones in a few minutes. It's very convenient.
It seemed that most of the tourists were couples. Several couples took photos of themselves together, and they walked out while admiring and commenting on the photos.
"Oh dear, I've gained weight. Why do these clothes make me look so bulky?"
"The baby is quite beautiful. In ancient times, this would be considered an auspicious face. Who knows, she might even be chosen to become a concubine in the palace!"
The male passerby was very supportive.
Shen Qingyuan couldn't help but smile and looked up at the woman who looked blessed.
"Qingyuan," Fang Zhouxing walked over quickly, "I'll show you the photos."
Shen Qingyuan took the photo and glanced at it. Fang Zhou was quite photogenic, with a gentle temperament and no so-called imperial domineering aura. He looked like a young prince who had just come of age, innocent and pure.
"You shot it very well," Shen Qingyuan praised.
Fang Zhou smiled happily, "Then I'll give you this one as a souvenir. I've kept one for myself."
I don't think I've seen people send their own photos to friends since I graduated from junior high school.
Feeling something was off, Shen Qingyuan smiled and said, "Aren't you afraid I'll use it for evil purposes?"
"You won't," Fang Zhou said with great certainty.
Shen Qingyuan was slightly taken aback.
"Then I'll take it. It would be best if you could sign it for me too. When you become famous and a big reporter, this autographed photo of mine will be worth a lot of money!" Shen Qingyuan said with a smile.
Her smile was as bright as the sun shining down, melting away the ice and snow. Fang Zhou stared at her in a daze for a moment before looking away after a few seconds.
"Qingyuan, Sister Ting said before that you're a bit aloof, but I don't think so at all. I find you quite approachable. It's like we've known each other for a long time, like we're very familiar with each other. At least, I feel like we've met before by chance."
Shen Qingyuan put the photo into her bag, saying as she did so, "You guys in the arts all talk a lot of romantic things." She rolled her eyes, pretending to be deep in thought, "Of course, Song Ting doesn't count. She's like a cook, all serious and loud."
That's quite apt, Fang Zhou couldn't help but smile, finding her amusing. The thought of returning to Chenyang tomorrow, separated by distance, brought a wave of melancholy to his face.
"So, Qingyuan, are we friends now?" Fang Zhou stared intently at Shen Qingyuan.
Shen Qingyuan patted her handbag, "Of course, we're already in a relationship where we're exchanging photos!"
Fang Zhou smiled again, his eyes curving into crescents, revealing a set of neat white teeth.
-
"Ring ring—"
An electric sightseeing vehicle approached, ringing its bell, and the driver called out to ask who wanted a ride.
The Ming and Qing Palace Garden is quite large. If you really want to tour it quickly, you can pay to take the electric car in the scenic area. Shen Qingyuan calculated the tour time and remembered Ye Chuyang's words "Come back early" and felt inexplicably angry.
Fang Zhou asked Shen Qingyuan if she wanted to take a car tour.
He didn't actually want to take a car; he thought strolling around would be more enjoyable. He also wanted to talk to Shen Qingyuan more.
If Shen Qingyuan got tired of walking, he would certainly be willing to take a car.
"Forget it, let's just walk around. I like walking." Shen Qingyuan decided to ignore what someone said and go back after she had had her fill of fun.
"Me too."
Shen Qingyuan glanced at Fang Zhou. Indeed, all reporters had great legs. Song Ting was one of them. When they went shopping, Song Ting could shop from morning till night without ever complaining of being tired.
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