Teacher Liu introduces David to KTV culture in China and recommends some simple Chinese songs.

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刘娜: Chinese people really like going to KTV to sing. Do you want to try?
大卫: That sounds fun! But I don’t know how to sing Chinese songs.
刘娜: No problem. I can recommend a simple one, like 'Friend' or 'The Moon Represents My Heart'.
大卫: Oh, I’ve heard 'The Moon Represents My Heart'. The lyrics don’t seem too hard.
刘娜: Right, this song is slow and easy to learn. Do you want to try singing a line?
大卫: Sure, I’ll give it a try… 'You ask me how deep my love for you is…'
刘娜: Very good! Your pronunciation is very clear! Just practice a few more times.
大卫: Thank you, Teacher! Next time I go to KTV, I’ll definitely choose this song!

Teacher Liu and David discuss Chinese calligraphy and share their thoughts on the art form.

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刘娜: David, do you know about Chinese calligraphy?
大卫: Yes, calligraphy is a traditional Chinese art form.
刘娜: Do you like calligraphy?
大卫: Yes, I think calligraphy is very beautiful.
刘娜: Right, calligraphy is not just writing, it's also a form of artistic expression.
大卫: Chinese calligraphy has different styles, right?
刘娜: Yes, there are regular script, semi-cursive, cursive, clerical, and seal scripts. Each has its own characteristics.
大卫: I like semi-cursive the most. It looks so smooth.
刘娜: Semi-cursive is both elegant and practical. Many people enjoy practicing it.
大卫: I want to try practicing calligraphy too!
刘娜: Great! We can find some time to practice together!

小刚 teaches 小宝 how to protect against flying fluff and allergies.

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小宝: Big brother, there are so many white things flying outside, it looks like it's snowing!
小刚: Haha, that's not snow, it's 'flying fluff' from poplar and willow trees.
小宝: The fluff lands on my face and it’s so itchy. Can I scratch it with my hand?
小刚: It’s best not to scratch with your hand. That can make it itchier. You can wash your face with clean water or gently wipe it with a tissue.
小宝: Should I wear a mask when I go out?
小刚: Yes! You can also wear a hat and glasses. That way the fluff won't easily get into your nose or eyes.
小宝: Flying fluff is so annoying. When is it safer to go outside?
小刚: In the morning or after it rains is better. There's less fluff then, and we can play outside safely!

陈智高 and 王明月 engage in a critical discussion about 'Nezha 2', exploring its deeper cultural and narrative issues.

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王明月: Master, did you watch 'Nezha 2'? I saw a lot of reviews saying it continues the theme of defying fate, but something feels off to me.
陈智高: Yes, I’ve seen it. The film does continue the slogan 'My fate is mine, not Heaven’s,' but what interests me more is whether it truly challenges the system and discourse behind 'fate'.
王明月: You mean, even though Nezha defeats Wuliang Xianweng, the system of prejudice itself remains untouched?
陈智高: Exactly. Nezha’s 'demonic awakening' is essentially about using greater force to break the old order, not establishing a new one. It’s a logic of 'breaking through with power,' not a systemic subversion.
王明月: What do you think about the online claims that Wuliang Xianweng symbolizes American hegemony, and Nezha symbolizes Chinese resistance? Isn’t that a bit superficial?
陈智高: That interpretation is interesting, but I think simplifying complex international relations into a hot-blooded narrative of good vs. evil actually conceals structural problems. It’s more of a dramatized projection of real-world politics than a true metaphor.
王明月: I also noticed that Nezha barely has a character arc. His 'immortal setting' makes it feel unrealistic. I actually preferred the protagonist's inner struggles in 'Jiang Ziya'.
陈智高: Good observation. Nezha’s development is more like stacking buffs—relying on friends, family, and miracles granted by fate, rather than inner awakening. This 'protagonist halo' weakens the philosophical depth of the story.
王明月: And also, Li Jing and his wife became the 'loving parent template' in this one, losing the tension they had in the first film. The whole family storyline feels instrumentalized.
陈智高: Their sacrifice indeed presents an ethical paradox. To save Nezha, they’re willing to sacrifice the people of Chentang Pass, which reveals a certain 'privilege' narrative—who deserves to live, and who can be sacrificed.
王明月: Speaking of cultural expression, some say Nezha’s rage mode looks like Japanese anime, and Ao Bing’s father resembles Legolas from 'The Lord of the Rings'... Is Chinese animation losing cultural confidence?
陈智高: That’s the dilemma of contemporary Chinese animation: on one hand, pursuing international aesthetics, and on the other, trying to uphold the banner of 'Chinese cultural export'. When cultural expression turns into collage and imitation, local identity is easily marginalized.
王明月: But the box office was huge. Didn’t the audience love it?
陈智高: That actually shows the disconnect between audience emotion and the film’s depth. People want to see the rise of Chinese animation, but often get visual bombardment and hollow storytelling. Box office doesn’t equal quality, let alone cultural reflection.
王明月: So what path should Chinese animation take?
陈智高: It needs to return from spectacle to storytelling, from imitation to sincerity, from consumerism to cultural responsibility. If Nezha wants to rebel against fate, he must also rebel against superficiality. Only then

小刚 explains to 小宝 some fun stories about the robot half-marathon competition.

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小宝: Brother, I saw the news today saying robots went running! Is that true?
小刚: It's true! There was a special event in Beijing today where robots ran a half-marathon, covering 21 kilometers.
小宝: Wow, robots can run that far? Don’t they get tired?
小刚: Some robots got tired and even fell down, but they stood up and kept running! One robot even ‘lost its head’ but still finished the race!
小宝: Haha, such brave robots! Who won in the end?
小刚: A robot named ‘天工’ finished first, taking two hours and forty minutes. It even fell once but got repaired and kept running—what great sportsmanship!
小宝: I want to see robots running too! Do they look like people?
小刚: Pretty much! They have arms and legs, can change batteries, turn corners, and sprint—just like little robot athletes.

小刚 tells 小宝 the story of how the Chinese rescue team successfully saved a trapped child in the earthquake-stricken area of Myanmar.

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小宝: Brother 小刚, what is a rescue team?
小刚: A rescue team is a group of people who specialize in helping those affected by disasters. They go to dangerous places like earthquakes and floods to rescue trapped people.
小宝: Aren't they afraid of danger?
小刚: Of course they're afraid, but they want to save lives even more. For example, there was a big earthquake in Myanmar recently, and the Chinese rescue team went there and even saved a baby from the rubble!
小宝: Wow! Was the baby buried?
小刚: Yes, he was buried for over 60 hours. The rescue team uncles kept digging nonstop and finally rescued him.
小宝: How is he now?
小刚: Luckily, he's still healthy! Everyone was very happy, and the rescue team will keep helping more people.
小宝: They are real heroes! I want to help others when I grow up too!

陈智高 and 王明月 interpret the U.S. tariffs on China through myth and history.

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王明月: Master, today I read an article by Zhong Yin in the People's Daily. It used three stories to criticize the U.S. abuse of tariffs. What struck me most was comparing the 'tariff war' to opening 'Pandora's box'.
陈智高: Yes, once 'Pandora’s box' is opened, disasters pour out. It’s a vivid metaphor for the reckless use of tariffs. A tariff war may seem targeted, but it’s actually a lose-lose situation. History, both ancient and modern, offers plenty of lessons.
王明月: The article also cited the story of 'Nüwa patching the sky', saying that the Chinese people always overcome crises through resilience rather than blaming others.
陈智高: That’s the spiritual foundation of the Chinese nation. Through 5,000 years of trials, what we've relied on is the courage to strike first to avoid future strikes. We didn’t start the trade war, but we will never back down from bullying.
王明月: There was also a section about 'The Wizard of Oz', emphasizing that only unity and cooperation can lead out of difficulty. While reading, I wondered—does the U.S. really believe that 'winner takes all' can last?
陈智高: That’s exactly the problem. 'Winner takes all' goes against the essence of economic globalization. Today’s global industrial chains are deeply intertwined. Trying to 'decouple and cut off' is like lifting a rock only to drop it on your own foot.
王明月: The article also mentioned China's zero-tariff policy for the least developed countries. I deeply respect this attitude of openness and inclusiveness.
陈智高: That reflects the responsibility of a major country. 'Inclusiveness and mutual benefit' is not just China’s diplomatic principle—it’s a modern interpretation of the ancient ideal of 'a harmonious world'.
王明月: So, do you think there’s still room for improvement in China-U.S. relations?
陈智高: As long as both sides are sincere, history’s door will never be shut. As President Xi Jinping said, 'The Earth is big enough for China and the U.S. to develop together and prosper respectively.' The fear is that someone becomes obsessed and throws away the key to cooperation into their own locked box.

While out, Yuko's phone is running low on battery, and she learns how to ask someone to borrow a charger.

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优子: Excuse me, my phone is almost out of battery. Can I borrow a charger?
刘娜: Of course. What kind of phone do you use?
优子: I use a Xiaomi.
刘娜: I have a Xiaomi charger. Here you go.
优子: Great, thank you!
刘娜: You're welcome. Charging for a little while should be enough.
优子: Yes, right. I need to contact a friend later.
刘娜: Go ahead and charge it. Let me know if you need anything else.