Next Stop: Misty Jiangnan! Tens of thousands of viewers across the internet are waiting.

The plane flew smoothly above the clouds at 30,000 feet.

The first-class cabin was so quiet that the only sound was the faint low noise of the engine.

Jiang Ruoyun leaned back in the large leather chair, looking like a lazy Persian cat, holding a tablet computer in her hands, her fair fingers swiping rapidly across the screen.

The screen was filled with stunning travel guides about Qingxi Town in Jiangnan.

An ancient stone arch bridge shrouded in mist and rain, and a gracefully swaying awning boat.

And those elegant guesthouses built along the water, exuding a quaint charm, every photo of them has been heavily filtered with a beautiful aesthetic.

The girl's eyes lit up, and her usual aloof demeanor, which she maintained in Beijing's high society circles, completely vanished at that moment.

"Lin Mo, look at this!"

Jiang Ruoyun excitedly brought the tablet to the side, pointing to a picture of a waterside pavilion with red lanterns hanging on it, her voice full of undisguised anticipation.

"Is the old house we're going to also in this style?"

"Push open the carved wooden window, and you can see a babbling brook below."

"Can you just go out in the early morning, wave your hand, and get on one of those creaky little covered boats to go to town for steaming hot crab roe soup dumplings?"

Lin Mo was holding a glass of warm purified water, drinking it slowly and deliberately.

Hearing his fiancée's dreamy, pink-bubble-filled speech, he turned his head slightly.

His gaze fell on Jiang Ruoyun's delicate face, which was full of innocence and longing.

But the image of that dilapidated courtyard in my hometown, which had been vacant for several years, involuntarily surfaced in my mind.

The walls were mottled, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and there was a broken wooden door that looked like it had been eaten by insects for a long time.

romantic?

That's for tourists who pay to stay in boutique guesthouses.

As for those who return to their old houses in the countryside, the first thing they'll most likely do is find a sickle and go to the yard to clear the land and cut grass.

Lin Mo put down his water glass, not directly shattering the young lady's fragile dream of Jiangnan.

He simply stretched out his long, slender fingers and gently tucked a stray strand of hair that was falling beside the girl's cheek behind her ear.

A meaningful, slightly amused smile curved at the corner of his mouth.

"Yes, a fairyland."

Lin Mo's voice was steady and relaxed, carrying a gentleness that caught people completely off guard.

"I hope you'll still be this happy when you get there. Just don't cry."

Jiang Ruoyun didn't understand the deeper meaning behind this admonition at all.

She gave Lin Mo a coquettish glare, then leaned on his shoulder and gave a defiant snort.

"I won't cry."

"As long as I can leave that wretched place in Beijing where every day is filled with social engagements, as long as I can be with you."

"Even if I go to the countryside and eat plain white flour buns, I'll still find them sweet."

The girl's double standards and clingy sweet talk came out naturally and smoothly.

Lin Mo shook his head helplessly, then casually pulled over a thin blanket and covered her legs.

"Okay, remember what you just said."

"Take a nap, I'll wake you up when we get there."

at the same time.

On the Internet, thousands of miles away at an altitude of 10,000 meters, an unprecedented carnival is taking place.

The official account of CCTV's documentary channel launched a brand new live broadcast room simultaneously on major video platforms across the internet without any prior warning.

The name of the live stream room has a very official and grand style.

"Master Craftsmen of a Great Nation: The Charm of Jiangnan"

Below is a smaller note: Original single-camera slow live stream.

Logically speaking, this kind of official documentary, which lacks pre-release hype, the support of big-name celebrities, and even has a didactic title, should be considered a good thing.

If tens of thousands of people watch when the show starts, that's already considered a pretty good result.

But at this moment, the popularity of this live stream room is showing an extremely strange explosive growth.

The screen was clearly just a deep black.

In the center of the screen, only a white countdown number was silently ticking.

However, the number of viewers in the live stream skyrocketed at a visible speed, like a rocket taking off.

One hundred thousand.

Five hundred thousand.

One million!

Within just half an hour of the broadcast starting, millions of real online viewers flooded into the black screen live stream room.

The reason is simple: last night, a purely text-based exposé without any visuals quietly spread within Beijing's high society circles and was subsequently reposted online by several influential figures.

The information revealed was very simple.

"Master Lin, who became famous in a dating reality show for his amazing bamboo weaving skills and repaired a century-old courtyard house."

"He wrote a stunning piece of the 'Slender Gold' calligraphy at the birthday banquet of the richest man, and CCTV's chief director Li Lin personally intervened and begged him to come out of retirement to record a slow-paced variety show."

"The two have reached an agreement and will soon be heading to Jiangnan for filming."

The news caused an instant uproar across the internet.

Who is Lin Mo?

That was a true reclusive master, a max-level expert who had mastered the art of playing the game of "playing it easy" and "using dimensional reduction" to the extreme.

It's a CCTV program that everyone would beg and plead to get on.

This guy actually wanted the national team to personally go down to the gate and beg for help.

This thrill and contrast immediately raised netizens' expectations to the top.

In the black-screen live stream room, a dense barrage of comments scrolled wildly like a blizzard, making the countdown almost invisible.

"Open the door! Open the door! Auntie, stop hiding! Let Lin Mo out right now!"

"I've taken a day off and I'm just sitting here! I want to see how this master will dominate the Jiangnan water towns!"

"I heard that the richest man's father-in-law went to the alley entrance early this morning to lie under a car wheel and stage an accident to stop him from leaving. Is that true?"

"Those people upstairs are too narrow-minded! I heard that the richest man is so focused on a single bowl of noodles from Chef Lin's pot that he's even ignoring a multi-billion dollar acquisition deal!"

"Is Miss Ruoyun here? I want to see her defend her husband online!"

"When is this slow-motion livestream finally starting? Even the donkeys in the production team can't rest like this! Hurry up and switch the camera!"

Countless onlookers, traditional culture enthusiasts, and even many wealthy people in Beijing circles who failed to acquire the calligraphy and paintings.

They all sat obediently in front of their screens, anxiously waiting for the countdown to reach zero.

A few hours later.

The plane landed smoothly at the airport in Jiangnan.

As soon as I stepped out of the terminal, a gust of cold wind carrying heavy moisture hit me.

Several black vans, which the production team had arranged in advance, were already waiting outside the VIP lane.

Lin Mo helped Jiang Ruoyun into the car, and the convoy sped off towards Qingxi Town.

Leaving the bustling city center, the scenery along the roadside gradually becomes more serene.

Skyscrapers are left behind, replaced by rows of white-walled and black-tiled houses, and crisscrossing waterways.

A light drizzle, typical of the Jiangnan region, began to fall from the sky.

Like a thin white veil, it shrouds the entire water town in a hazy, beautiful atmosphere.

The convoy stopped in front of a stone arch bridge on the outskirts of Qingxi Town.

Further in, cars can no longer enter; one can only walk through those narrow cobblestone alleys.

The car door opened.

Lin Mo was the first to step out of the car.

He looked up at the gray sky and pulled a large black umbrella from the inside of the car door.

With a soft "snap," the umbrella opened, blocking the light drizzle.

Jiang Ruoyun followed closely behind, stepping down carefully in a pair of exquisite ankle boots.

Lin Mo naturally tilted the umbrella handle more than halfway towards the girl.

She was kept completely protected in the dry space under the umbrella.

His own shoulder, which was closer to the outside, was quickly dampened by the drizzle, leaving a small, dark stain.

He didn't pay any attention to these details.

He held the black umbrella steadily with one hand, and pulled Jiang Ruoyun's heavy, oversized suitcase with the other.

The remaining luggage was naturally handled by the production crew.

"Let's go, the ground is slippery, watch your step."

Lin Mo whispered a word of advice, then took a step forward and led Jiang Ruoyun onto the weathered bluestone bridge.

Just as they stepped onto the first step of the stone bridge.

Inside a signal monitoring vehicle disguised as an ordinary bread truck parked not far away.

CCTV's chief director, Li Lin, was staring intently at the monitor screen in front of him.

He held a thermos in his hand, took a sip of hot tea with goji berries, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

"Attention all units"

Li Lin pressed the walkie-talkie, his voice steady.

"Camera number one, follow up, maintain a safe distance of five meters, and remember not to make any noise."

"Adjust the recording equipment to its optimal state to capture the sounds of rain and footsteps."

"Live stream signal source, cut in!"

With Li Lin's command.

The black screen livestream room, which had been watched by millions of people across major online platforms, suddenly lit up.

There is no long or fancy intro.

There was no noisy opening remarks from the host.

The first image that appears is a breathtakingly beautiful, textured picture of misty rain in Jiangnan.

A towering stone arch bridge, beneath which flows a gently flowing emerald green river.

The old houses scattered along both sides of the river appear and disappear in the rain and mist.

Raindrops fell on the bluestone slabs, splashing up tiny water droplets and producing a crisp, pleasant white noise.

And at the golden ratio point of the image.

A tall, well-built man in a solid-colored overcoat is holding a solid black umbrella.

He carried his suitcase and walked with a relaxed gait.

Under the umbrella, a beautiful girl with a graceful figure, wearing a beige cashmere coat, was being protected.

The two walked side by side on the moss-covered stone path, their silhouettes exuding an indescribable sense of perfect harmony and tranquility.

The composition is exquisite, and the unadorned yet cinematic aesthetic is breathtaking.

This instantly caused an uproar in the live stream room.

The barrage of comments, which had been anxiously urging for more updates, paused briefly.

Immediately afterwards, an even more frenzied flood of posts appeared on social media.

"Holy crap! This art style! This composition! CCTV's move is truly a game-changer!"

"It's so beautiful! Is this really a live stream? Any screenshot could be used as computer wallpaper!"

"Is that Master Lin in that umbrella-wielding figure? His relaxed demeanor is amazing!"

"Look at the details, guys! Look at Lin Mo's umbrella, most of it is tilted towards his wife, and his own shoulder is all wet!"

"Waaaaah, this is so sweet! What happened to the documentary about traditional crafts? How did it turn into a super sweet idol drama?"

"I could watch a hundred episodes of this idyllic honeymoon storyline set in the water towns of Jiangnan without fast-forwarding!"

The atmosphere in the live stream room was instantly pushed to its climax by this stunning visual.

Everyone thought that what they were about to see was...

It is a beautiful love story between a wealthy heiress and a reclusive master, enjoying tea and rain in a romantic ancient town, with a beautiful woman by his side.

Even Jiang Ruoyun, who was walking under the umbrella, thought so.

She took a deep breath of the moist air, which smelled of fresh earth, and felt completely refreshed.

"Lin Mo, this place is so beautiful."

Jiang Ruoyun, like a hopping little bird, looked around at the white walls and black tiles on both sides.

"Which direction is your old house in your hometown?"

"I can't wait to go and see our lake-view room."

Upon hearing the words "lake view room," a barely perceptible smile flickered across Lin Mo's eyes.

He didn't answer, but simply held her hand firmly and continued walking deeper into the winding alley.

Inside the surveillance vehicle.

Looking at the girl's expectant profile on the monitor, Li Lin couldn't help but let his lips curl into a wild smile.

He revealed a cunning, sly smile, like an old fox.

"romantic?"

"Lake view room?"

Li Lin took a sip of tea and muttered to himself.

"The pristine state of nature is the core essence of our program."

As a documentary aimed at showcasing the true essence of artisans.

How could Li Lin possibly arrange a luxuriously decorated, fully furnished guesthouse for Lin Mo?

He had already found out.

The Lin family's old house in Qingxi Town has been abandoned for five years.

Although the production team sent an advance team, Li Lin gave a strict order.

They are only allowed to remove poisonous insects and snakes that pose a safety hazard, ensuring that the main structure of the house does not collapse.

As for the dust, weeds, broken doors and windows inside...

Do not move!

What he wanted was for Lin Mo to be in this extremely harsh and primitive environment.

Forced to reveal their stunning restoration skills.

He wanted to show the entire internet audience how a true national treasure-level master could transform ruins into something magical, bit by bit.

This is a truly outstanding plot twist that will be recorded in CCTV's history!

Li Lin smiled as he guided the photographer hidden in the shadows through a miniature walkie-talkie.

Turn left and right in the bluestone alley.

Gradually, the surrounding exquisite shops and tourists disappeared.

The alleyway grew narrower and narrower, and the walls on both sides were covered with thick moss and withered vines.

Even the stone path underfoot became uneven and bumpy.

Jiang Ruoyun frowned slightly, but her anticipation remained undiminished.

"Is it one of those secluded mansions hidden deep in an alley?"

She guessed with great interest.

Finally, Lin Mo stopped.

He folded the black umbrella and shook off the water droplets.

The two stood in front of an old Jiangnan house with its gates tightly closed and in a very remote location.

The entrance wasn't as grand as I'd imagined, with red lanterns hanging around it.

There were no picturesque waterside pavilions either.

There were only two dilapidated doors with severely peeling paint and cracked, blackened wood grain.

The tiles on the eaves were even missing a few holes, and drops of murky rainwater were dripping down through the gaps.

Even on the threshold, a few tenacious foxtail grasses have sprouted.

The entire building exudes a sense of desolation and loneliness, as if it has been abandoned for many years.

The number of comments in the live stream suddenly and strangely decreased at that moment.

Netizens seemed to have sensed something was amiss.

"Wait a minute, isn't this place... a little too primitive?"

"This is Chef Lin's hometown house? It's so dilapidated!"

"Holy crap, I suddenly have a bad feeling..."

Jiang Ruoyun stood under the eaves, staring at the dilapidated door, and was also stunned for a moment.

But she quickly reassured herself.

These old houses may look dilapidated from the outside, but they might actually be hidden gems inside.

Aren't all those high-end private clubs following this low-key luxury formula?

Thinking of this, Jiang Ruoyun smiled again.

She eagerly stepped forward and extended her fair and delicate little hand.

Filled with wonderful expectations for the "Jiangnan Resort Wonderland".

He placed his hands on the dusty door panel and pushed the carved wooden door open with force.

"Squeak—"

A harsh, unpleasant bang, like teeth grinding against a blackboard, suddenly exploded in the quiet alley.

Immediately afterwards, a chilling wind, mixed with the smells of mildew, dust, and rotting wood, rushed in through the crack in the door.

The moment the door opened.

I could see the scene in the courtyard clearly.

Millions of viewers in the live stream, and Jiang Ruoyun with an expectant look on her face.

The smile froze on her face.