Grand Canal stars in hit TV show

In 2014, the Grand Canal was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, inspiring Yao to read several books and watch documentaries about the world's longest artificial waterway.

Delving deeper into Xu's canal-centered novels, such as Stories of Beijing Western Suburbs and Jerusalem, Yao gained a profound understanding of how the canal — which stretches nearly 3,200 km and flows through 35 cities — serves as an economic and cultural artery for the country, influencing the livelihoods of numerous local residents.

Captivated by the spiritual core of Xu's tales, which depict themes of homesickness and destiny, Yao, alongside major creators, including screenwriter Zhao and chief producer Zhang Shuwei, took a road trip along the section of the canal in Jiangsu province. They collected firsthand information by interviewing nearly 100 boatmen who live and work on barges.

"The journey took around half a month. Many boatmen's families, consisting of parents and one or two children, live, sleep, and entertain themselves on their boats. They rarely go ashore, unless they need to purchase daily necessities from supermarkets," Yao recalls.