During the Dragon Boat Festival, coinciding with the college entrance examination, the Confucius Temple, once a site for ancient imperial exams, is now devoid of candidates, replaced only by commercial opportunities and young men in hanfu.

Not far away at Aqua City, I encounter a cosplay event, as if stepping into another parallel world. Yet, the youth here share similar aesthetics, roles, and social attributes.

Further ahead in Xinanli, the wall has been painted with local Nanjing dialect phrases, creating a unique charm in this quaint and delicate area.