Time returns to the present.

Inside the Restoration Center, Professor Ye carefully examined Xiao He's newly written calligraphy work, his eyes flashing with the same shock that Elder Qian had felt when he first saw it.

His gaze fell repeatedly on the photos prepared in advance as reference materials, shifting back and forth to carefully compare the differences between the two sides. Eventually, he even pulled out a magnifying glass and began following the brushstrokes of the characters Xiao He had written to compare them—

The other spectating experts also gathered together, closely observing the patterns. From time to time, they had to pull out their reading glasses and adjust their posture to make it easier to crane their necks and see. Elder Qian, on the other hand, didn't fight for a position. Instead, he maintained an unruffled appearance, as if he had seen it all before, letting the others squeeze past him to watch.

However, he also felt a bit sentimental in his heart.

In fact, many of the Restoration Team's processes were similar to the "making the new look old" technique used in forging fakes; the difference was that the former was done for the purpose of restoration and protection, while the latter was for amassing wealth, even at the cost of damaging more cultural relics.

With Xiao He's skill, he was a great help for restoration, but for those guys committing crimes and making forgeries, he would be an equally sought-after prize.

After all, the final calligraphy skill still depended on the person holding the brush.

When machines could no longer provide assistance, the last flaw that could be found would only be in the person who originally held the brush to imitate it.

If that forgery technique were combined with Xiao He's imitation ability... he feared that no one in the world would truly be able to distinguish the real from the fake.

Fortunately, how fortunate!

Xiao He is an actor now, far removed from those circles and the people in them, so there was no need to worry about the malicious gaze of those characters.

Elder Qian felt much more at ease because of this.

Otherwise, he was truly worried that Xiao He would be targeted by some unscrupulous elements and then enticed into committing those illegal crimes, thereby ruining his entire life.

-

A few minutes later, Professor Ye finally put down the magnifying glass in his hand.

At the same moment, everyone else quieted down.

"Not bad, truly very impressive."

A smile appeared on Professor Ye's face, softening his original seriousness. He then couldn't help but ask Xiao He further: "Little Xiao, is this imitation ability a talent of yours? How long does it usually take you to replicate someone else's handwriting?"

"Uh, actually, I'm just blindly mimicking; it's not really a talent." Xiao He scratched his head, glanced at Elder Qian beside him, and then said very conservatively, "I simply like Emperor Chen very much, so I've put a lot of heart into studying his calligraphy. As for other handwriting... it's alright, but I'm not an expert."

However, Xiao He's words still didn't dampen Professor Ye's enthusiasm.

"Good, great! What we need now are young people like you, fresh blood!"

Professor Ye laughed heartily, his eyes full of expectation and admiration for Xiao He. Ignoring Xiao He's euphemism, he took the initiative to invite him: "Little Xiao, what major did you graduate in? Are you interested in working at our Restoration Center? Don't worry, it's a formal position with regular benefits!"

Xiao He:...Good question.

So how should I tell you that I graduated from Shanghai University in Computer Science, but later became an actor, which has absolutely nothing to do with my major?

And now I'm being invited to do cultural relic restoration work here?

Fortunately, Elder Qian continued to speak up for Xiao He at this time: "Oh, Old Ye, what a memory you have! Little Xiao is an actor now! He's already won two best actor trophies! What's the point of this job of yours? Don't delay the young man's progress."

"Ah, that's true."

Professor Ye also realized, nodding somewhat awkwardly, with a hint of regret and dejection in his expression.

Xiao He quickly chimed in: "I'm a graduate of Shanghai University's Computer Science department, and I indeed know very little about cultural relic restoration. I'm truly grateful for Professor Ye's kindness, but if there's any need for help in the future, as a member of the Calligraphy Association, I will do my best to assist."

Professor Ye raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit surprised that Xiao He was a Computer Science student, but he didn't say anything more and brought up the main business: "Since Little Xiao is here to help today, let's go straight in to collect samples and basic information..."

He stood up and signaled for Xiao He to follow them, while also asking Elder Qian: "Are you coming along today?"

"Since Little Xiao is going in, I won't," Elder Qian shook his head. "I'll just wait out here."

Although the Restoration Center here is part of the Museum, its nature is equivalent to a separate official institution with very strict entry and exit requirements.

Especially the most important Restoration Room, where the cultural relic restoration takes place. There are many instruments inside, and the indoor materials are special, so entering and exiting this area is very troublesome. Even if it doesn't reach the level of needing to sign a non-disclosure agreement, the layer upon layer of corridors is truly complex. Elder Qian hadn't been feeling very energetic lately, so he simply gave up on going in.

Professor Ye expressed his understanding and then signaled for Xiao He to follow him inside.

On the way, Professor Ye didn't forget to chat with Xiao He: "Did Old Qian tell you what you're here to do?"

Xiao He shook his head honestly: "He only said the Restoration Center needed someone who understands Emperor Chen's handwriting very well and can imitate the 'stability of the world' on display at the Art Center."

Xiao He didn't know much about cultural relic restoration.

He heard that the copy he had previously written for Elder Qian had already been sent to the Restoration Center, but he didn't expect that they would still need him to come in person.

"Actually, it's because our center recently received a new machine, and we want to collect more on-site data to facilitate future restoration work."

At this moment, Professor Ye didn't treat Xiao He as an outsider and directly stated their situation and purpose.

Simply put, they wanted to collect various data while Xiao He was copying "stability of the world" on-site, and then use the machine to collect brushwork characteristics, ink color, bleeding, and fiber seepage effects to establish a handwriting behavioral logic model for subsequent AI-assisted restoration and authentication.

While they said it was for the work on "stability of the world," that wasn't entirely the case. This was also the first time their Restoration Center had formally introduced an AI-assisted machine and put it into such major restoration work. This attempt was both ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) to test the development of AI and to build synergy for deep cooperation with AI in the future.

It could be considered an important exploration by the Restoration Center in the field of cultural relic restoration and AI assistance.

To be honest, when he heard Professor Ye say the Restoration Team was also working on AI-assisted models, Xiao He was still quite surprised.

His impression of cultural relic restoration was still stuck on ancient restoration methods, feeling like it would be the kind of restoration style with primitive techniques where most materials and processes were hand-crafted, belonging to a "sophisticated interest" detached from machines.

He didn't expect that they were already using AI analysis here.

But thinking about it, it made sense; this was Beijing, and the Restoration Center here was a well-known official institution in the industry, possessing the most top-tier and advanced scientific technology. It was quite normal for them to take the lead in introducing AI-assisted functions to better promote the development of cultural relic restoration.

Next, Professor Ye also introduced other functions of this AI machine. For example, the copied work sampled this time would enter the database for AI comparison and analysis. Then, through his "imitation," they would reverse-engineer whether the burned "stability of the world" matched the logic of Emperor Chen's other known authentic calligraphy works...

Professor Ye talked incessantly about many things, and Xiao He, who was also very interested in AI, listened with great interest as they walked.

"The application and development of AI nowadays are truly extensive."

After listening to Professor Ye's introduction, Xiao He couldn't help but feel sentimental.

After applying it to all aspects, it truly changed the work and lives of many people.

So, delving deep into the field of AI in the future would certainly have broad prospects...

Thinking of this, Xiao He had a sudden inspiration and felt his pocket.

What a coincidence; he happened to have the business card of Heguang Technology with him this time.

I'll check the quality of that machine in a bit.

Xiao He pondered secretly.

Maybe he could find an opportunity to secure an official collaboration here?