Years ago, a documentary series titled Masters in the Forbidden City 【小题1】 (release) in China and soon became a hot topic, bringing the profession of cultural relic (文物) restoration into the public spotlight. Given China's long history and rich collections, 【小题2】 takes years of experience and a deep understanding of history to become a qualified restorer. 【小题3】 backstage heroes, many of them have devoted their lives to protecting cultural relics.

In the Hubei Provincial Museum, Fang Guorong, 62, and Fang Chen, 32, jointly lift a 12-kilogram bronze object, 【小题4】 attempt to restore a huge and ancient chime bell (编钟). They both work as relic restorers at the museum. The chime bell they are taking care of is the 【小题5】 (heavy) one ever preserved there.

Fang Guorong has been engaged in restoration work for over 40 years. He enjoys it, 【小题6】 (treasure) every touch of the bells. According to Fang Guorong, some chime bells were thought too damaged to be restored. But 【小题7】 (fortunate), digital technologies like 3D scanning have been used 【小题8】 (preserve) them. “That’s something the older generation couldn’t even dream of,” he says.

Fang Chen began working in the museum in 2014. He has acquired new technologies his elder workmates may find quite 【小题9】 (challenge). “The restoration work should also keep pace with advances in technology,” says Fang Chen. “This doesn’t mean overturning traditional methods. It’s about the 【小题10】 (combine) of old and new methods.”