Brother, just how powerful is our family?

"Henan Opera is a deeply ingrained art form in our Henan province," Qin Yao explained while waiting in line. "It sings about all aspects of human life and tells stories of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness. Some young people may think Henan Opera is 'rustic,' but if you calm down and listen, you will be captivated by its charm."

Upon entering the theater, the hall, which can accommodate a thousand people, was already full.

On the stage, the background is a simple landscape painting, with a table and two chairs, a typical opera stage setup.

The first play performed today is an excerpt from "Mu Guiying Takes Command".

Amidst the sound of gongs and drums, Mu Guiying made her entrance. The actress playing her was in her forties, but her makeup was exquisite and her figure was agile, making it impossible to guess her age.

"Three cannon shots rang out outside the gate like thunder—"

The moment she opened her mouth, her high-pitched and melodious singing captivated the entire audience.

Qin Yao lowered her voice and explained, "Listen to this singing style, it's high-pitched and passionate, which is one of the characteristics of Henan Opera. Henan Opera emphasizes 'natural voice,' singing with the real voice, so it's particularly infectious."

On stage, Mu Guiying sang "Outside the Gate" with great emotion.

Holding a command flag and wearing a battle robe, she looked heroic and valiant. Although she was alone on stage, she sang with the spirit of a thousand troops.

In the audience, many veteran opera fans hummed along softly.

The young people watched intently, even though they might not understand all the lyrics, but they shared the same spirit and energy.

Next up was an excerpt from "Chaoyang Gou." This is a modern play about educated youth going to the countryside. The humorous lyrics and vivid plot kept the audience laughing throughout the performance.

"Henan Opera is not just about traditional plays; it also has modern plays," Qin Yao explained. "It has always kept pace with the times and reflected people's lives. This is why Henan Opera has been able to be passed down—it is rooted in the people and serves the people."

The third performance was "Mulan". When the classic aria "Brother Liu's words are too biased" played, the entire audience clapped along.

Qin Yao noticed that there were several foreign faces in the audience. Although they couldn't understand the lyrics, they were very engrossed in the song and occasionally exchanged ideas with the translator next to them.

"Henan Opera is going global," she told the live stream. "In recent years, the Henan Opera troupe has performed in many countries and has been warmly received. Art has no borders, and good things will be loved by people all over the world."

When the performance ended and the actors took their curtain call, the audience stood up and applauded for a full five minutes.

As Qin Yao walked out of the Cultural Palace, she exclaimed, "My dears, did you know that Henan Opera is one of the few opera genres that can be self-sufficient without government subsidies? It has its own audience base and its own market. This is a testament to the vitality of traditional culture."

Many viewers in the live stream were moved:

"My grandparents love listening to Henan Opera. I didn't understand it before, but I do now."

"Art can only survive if it is rooted in the people."

"The Henan Opera actors have it so tough; their training must be incredibly arduous."

"I've already bought the tickets. I'm bringing my parents to see it tomorrow!"

In the afternoon, Qin Yao arrived at the open-air stage by the Huai River, which was the performance venue for the Henan Province Spring Festival Gala team.

Unlike the serious and solemn atmosphere in the morning, the atmosphere here is relaxed and lively.

The stage design is modern and exquisite, and the lighting and sound are professional-grade.

The audience was mainly young people, many of whom had their phones ready to take photos and videos at any time.

The first program is "The Banquet in the Tang Palace," which went viral on the internet last year during the Spring Festival Gala.

As the music began, more than twenty dancers took the stage. They were dressed in restored Tang Dynasty court lady costumes, with plump figures and exquisite makeup—the famous "slanted red makeup," with red decorations painted on both sides of their cheeks and floral patterns pasted between their eyebrows.

The dancers held various musical instrument models: pipa, konghou, flute, xiao... Their movements were lively and playful, and their expressions were vivid and adorable. Sometimes they frolicked and played, and sometimes they played "musical pieces" together, just like a group of lively young girls in the Tang Dynasty court.

"This program became popular because it broke people's stereotypes about traditional dance," Qin Yao explained. "It doesn't pursue difficult techniques, but rather liveliness and fun. It shows everyone that Tang Dynasty women were not only dignified and quiet, but also lively and lovely."

Sure enough, the audience watched with great interest, laughing continuously.

Next up is "In the Center of Heaven and Earth." This is a work that blends Tai Chi and modern dance. The dancers, dressed in flowing white robes, move with a perfect balance of strength and grace, creating a harmonious and unified atmosphere with ethereal music and lighting.

The most breathtaking performance was "Prayer." Although the underwater filming effects of the Spring Festival Gala could not be completely replicated, the dancers' graceful movements amidst the smoke created by dry ice were still stunningly beautiful. The dancers transformed into goddesses, their robes fluttering, moving with the grace and power of startled swans and swimming dragons.

"This program was inspired by Cao Zhi's 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River'," Qin Yao explained softly. "'Graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a swimming dragon. Radiant as autumn chrysanthemums, flourishing as spring pines.' This is the beauty of women in our traditional culture—not weakness, but resilience; not passivity, but the active pursuit of one's own value and love."

The performance ended with thunderous applause.

Qin Yao went backstage and interviewed several actors. They were all very young, mostly born in the 90s and 00s.

"We make these programs to get young people interested in traditional culture," said one female dancer. "Traditional culture isn't an old relic; it can be trendy, cool, and fashionable."

Another actor added, "We're not simply restoring it, we're innovating. We're showcasing the charm of traditional culture in a way that modern people appreciate."

Qin Yao relayed these words to the viewers in the live stream: "My darlings, did you hear that? This is the thinking of a new generation of cultural workers. They are bringing traditional culture to life and making it popular."

After watching the performance all day, Qin Yao was tired, but her heart was filled with emotion.

In the evening, she sat by the Huai River, giving her final summary of the live broadcast.

As the sun sets, the Huai River shimmers with golden light. On the opposite bank, the lights of the old city gradually illuminate the scene.

"Today I took you to see three performances, showcasing three different traditional cultures." Qin Yao said to the camera, her voice gentle yet firm. "The 'Qin King's Battle Song' showcases the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty; Henan Opera demonstrates the enduring vitality of folk art; and the Spring Festival Gala team's program presents a modern expression of traditional culture."

She paused, then continued, "But their core is the same—they are all part of the spiritual heritage of our Chinese nation. It is the heroic spirit of 'the wind rises and the clouds fly,' the steadfast adherence to 'loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness,' and the aesthetic of 'graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon.'"

"Today, in Huai County, we see that traditional culture is not dead; it is innovating, being passed down, and winning the hearts of the new generation."

The river breeze stirred her skirt and hair. In the distance, the faint sounds of opera singing could be heard, and twinkling lights could be seen.

This small town will be sleepless tonight.

Traditional culture has found a new stage, a new audience, and new vitality in this small town.

Qin Yao concluded by saying, "My darlings, there are still six days left until National Day. I hope you can all come to Huai County, to Henan Province, and personally experience this cultural feast. You will discover that our roots are here, our soul is here, and our future is here too."

The live stream has ended.

This cultural feast will plant seeds in the hearts of countless people. These seeds will take root, sprout, and blossom into magnificent flowers.

And this is exactly the scene that she, her brother Qin Feng, and countless others who love their hometown and its culture most want to see.

The echoes of a prosperous era linger on.

A thousand-year-old culture, ever-evolving.