Erinome: Hello dear friends! Welcome to our podcast. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Today, we’re going to talk about a hot topic for people traveling during Chunyun—train ticket booking. Have you heard about those "acceleration packages" some apps sell?  

Enceladus: Oh, yeah! I saw ads saying "pay to get tickets faster" or "VIP speed抢票 (qiangpiao)". But wait, is that real?  

Erinome: Sad news—recently, Beijing market regulators found it’s a scam! They fined a platform 500,000 yuan for fake advertising.  

Enceladus: Wow, 500,000 yuan? That’s a lot! What did the platform do exactly?  

Erinome: They called their service "double-channel抢票", "acceleration package", or "light-speed抢票". But actually, they just used 12306’s free "houbu" (候补) function and sold it as a paid service.  

Enceladus: Oh no! So those packages can’t really make tickets come faster?  

Erinome: Exactly! The 12306 system gives tickets in the order of候补 orders. No app can change that queue order.  

Enceladus: That’s so bad! Did anyone get tricked?  

Erinome: Yes! One user said he bought 3 VIP channels, 10 acceleration packages, and even a "24-hour special person抢票" service. He paid over 100 yuan but still didn’t get a ticket.  

Enceladus: Oh no! What about his friend?  

Erinome: His friend used 12306’s free houbu later and got the ticket! So the acceleration package was just "IQ tax", as people say.  

Enceladus: That’s a waste of money. Why do people buy them then?  

Erinome: Maybe they think "paying more means better chance". But 12306 already said: they never gave third-party apps "priority". All apps just buy tickets through 12306.  

Enceladus: So what should we do if tickets are sold out?  

Erinome: The official tips say three things. First, only use the 12306 app—it’s the only official channel.  

Enceladus: Got it, 12306 is the only one. What’s second?  

Erinome: Submit a houbu order right away when tickets are sold out. The system will give tickets in order of who applied first.  

Enceladus: Oh, so being quick with houbu is better than paying for packages.  

Erinome: Exactly! Third tip: never pay for "acceleration" services. Those "pay to speed up" ads are traps. You might lose money and miss the houbu queue.  

Enceladus: Are there other risks?  

Erinome: Yes! Some third-party apps keep your personal info. That’s dangerous for privacy. A lawyer even said these platforms might be breaking the law—like selling low and buying high, and messing with 12306’s system.  

Enceladus: That’s scary. So the best way is just use 12306 and do houbu early?  

Erinome: Yep! No need to pay extra. Save your money and time.  

Enceladus: I’ll tell my family about this. They always worry about buying tickets during Chunyun.  

Erinome: Good idea! Let’s spread the word: acceleration packages are scams. Trust 12306, do houbu, and don’t waste money!  

Enceladus: Right! Okay, that's it for today. Remember: 12306 is the only official app, houbu is free and effective, and say no to paid acceleration packages!  

Erinome: Thanks for listening, everyone. Let's talk again next time. Stay safe and happy traveling!

Erinome: Hello dear friends! Welcome to our daily news chat. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Let's see what interesting news we have today, shall we?  

Enceladus: Yeah, I’m excited! Let’s start!  

Erinome: First, some good economic news. Last year, our country’s GDP reached over 140 trillion yuan for the first time, growing 5.0% from the year before. And the IMF just raised its 2026 China GDP growth forecast from 4.2% to 4.5%!  

Enceladus: Wow, that’s really nice! The economy is doing well, right? 5% growth is not bad at all.  

Erinome: Exactly! And people’s income is also going up. In 2025, the national per capita disposable income was 43,377 yuan, up 5.0% from the previous year.  

Enceladus: Oh, so people have more money to spend? That’s good for everyone, haha.  

Erinome: But here’s some population news. At the end of 2025, the national population was 1,404.89 million, 3.39 million less than the year before. The number of births was 7.92 million, and the natural population growth rate was -2.41‰.  

Enceladus: Oh, the population is decreasing. That’s a bit sad. I hope things get better.  

Erinome: Let’s talk about cars! At the end of 2025, every 100 households had 52.9 cars, 1.7 more than before. But guess what? Domestic refined oil will rise for the first time in 2026—filling a tank will cost 4 yuan more.  

Enceladus: Wow, more families have cars now! But gas is more expensive, um, maybe I should take the bus sometimes, haha.  

Erinome: Safer streets news! Last year, criminal cases dropped 12.8%, the lowest this century. Public security cases also fell 3.5%. So society is getting safer.  

Enceladus: That’s great! No more worrying when walking at night, right?  

Erinome: Here’s a funny one. In Kunming, Yunnan, some people “released” mineral water into Dianchi Lake, and it’s getting a lot of talk. The local government said it didn’t cause pollution, so they can’t stop it.  

Enceladus: Wait, “released”矿泉水? Like, pouring water into the lake? That’s so strange! Why would they do that? Oh no, but at least it didn’t pollute the lake.  

Erinome: Now some health news. The national standard for TCM constitution classification was released for the first time. It divides people into 9 types, like 平和质 (pinghe zhi) and 气虚质 (qixu zhi).  

Enceladus: Oh, 9 types? I didn’t know that. Maybe I should check which type I am! That sounds interesting.  

Erinome: A small earthquake happened in Qiaojia County, Yunnan on the 19th night. It was 5.1 magnitude. Some houses had tiles falling and walls cracking, but no one was hurt.  

Enceladus: Oh, sad to hear about the earthquake, but so glad no one was injured! Hope everyone there is safe.  

Erinome: Cool news for tech lovers! Beijing set up robot professional titles—primary, intermediate, associate senior, and senior levels. The first review starts in July this year.  

Enceladus: Robot jobs have titles now? That’s awesome! More people might want to work with robots, right?  

Erinome: And Hurun released China’s Top 50 AI companies. Cambricon is first with 630 billion yuan value, followed by Moore Thread and Muxi.  

Enceladus: 630 billion? That’s a huge number! AI is really growing fast these days.  

Erinome: Now some international news. A high-speed train derailed in Spain, killing 39 people and injuring over 100. The train was checked just 3 days ago, and officials said human error is almost impossible.  

Enceladus: Oh no! That’s terrible. So many lives lost. I hope they find out what happened soon.  

Erinome: Last one. Data shows Chinese tourists to Japan dropped 40% in December last year. And the last two pandas in Japan will leave on the 27th.  

Enceladus: Fewer tourists? Hmm. And the pandas are leaving? That must make Japanese fans sad, but the pandas are going home, haha.  

Erinome: Okay, that’s all for today’s news. Thanks for listening, everyone!  

Enceladus: Yeah, see you next time! Bye!

Erinome: Hello dear friends! Welcome to our daily chat. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Today, let's talk about a news story that happened as the year is ending. You know, many companies have year-end parties to thank employees for their hard work, right? But some employees might not want to perform on stage.  

Enceladus: Oh right! I’ve heard that before. So what’s the story here?  

Erinome: Well, there’s a case from Shenzhen Labor Union. A company leader asked an employee named Xiao Ming to perform a talk show at the year-end party. Xiao Ming refused, saying he was busy with work. The leader thought he “didn’t give face”.  

Enceladus: “Didn’t give face”? Wow, that sounds serious. What happened next?  

Erinome: The next day, the company gave Xiao Ming a “Termination Notice”. They said he didn’t follow company安排 (ān pái) and was absent from work, which was a serious violation.  

Enceladus: Oh no! But wait, did Xiao Ming say he wouldn’t go to the party?  

Erinome: No! He only said he didn’t want to perform. And even if he refused to go, it should be okay. Because the leader had said before that the party was “non-mandatory attendance”.  

Enceladus: So he was busy working, trying to help the company, but got fired instead? That’s sad. Why?  

Erinome: The answer is in the leader’s “didn’t give face”. The leader thought employees should “give face” to leaders. Like, when the leader called Xiao Ming’s name in front of everyone, Xiao Ming should agree, be热情 (rè qíng), maybe even say thanks for the chance. But Xiao Ming said he was busy, and the leader thought that was just an excuse—“not obeying”.  

Enceladus: Hmm, the leader was upset because he didn’t get the answer he wanted. But firing someone directly? That’s too harsh.  

Erinome: Exactly! It’s not just about the leader’s small heart. It shows the leader thinks he has absolute power. If employees don’t do what he wants, he can just say “not obeying” and fire them. For other employees, it’s like “killing a chicken to warn the monkeys”—if you want to stay, you have to do even the “non-mandatory” things.  

Enceladus: That’s why many employees hate year-end parties, right? Because some leaders make it a “test of obedience” instead of a fun get-together.  

Erinome: You got it! Year-end parties should be for colleagues to relax and get closer. But with such leaders, it becomes a show—employees have to表演 (biǎo yǎn) their love for the company, admiration for leaders, and happiness about the party. Even if the performance is good, employees feel no respect or belonging. The more热闹 (rè nao) the party, the more they hate it. How can a company go far with a broken team spirit?  

Enceladus: But leaders can’t be above the law, right?  

Erinome: Exactly! The court said the company illegally terminated the contract. They have to pay Xiao Ming compensation. The ruling shows companies can’t use power too much—their right to manage employees has limits. Having a year-end party or performances isn’t a must. If a company respects, understands, and包容 employees, it can win hearts even without a party.  

Enceladus: That’s a good lesson. Respect is more important than any party.  

Erinome: Yep! Okay, that's it for today. Let's talk again next time. Bye!  

Enceladus: Bye everyone!

Erinome: Hello everyone! Welcome to today's daily news chat. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Let's dive into the latest news together, shall we?  

Enceladus: Sure! Let's start with the weather first, maybe? I heard there's some big snow and rain coming.  

Erinome: Oh right! A large area of snow and rain is on the way. Places like Henan, Anhui, and Jiangsu have already announced school closures. And the Yangtze River Delta Railway plans to temporarily stop some trains too.  

Enceladus: Wow, that sounds serious. Kids might be happy about no school, but for people traveling, it could be tough, you know?  

Erinome: Totally. Next, let's talk about Spring Festival travel. China Railway Group said the 2026 Spring Festival travel period will start on February 2nd and end on March 13th. And tickets for the first day go on sale this 19th!  

Enceladus: Oh, Spring Festival is not far then! So many people will be going home. I hope everyone can get tickets easily.  

Erinome: Me too! And good news for train travelers: Railway 12306 has a new service. Starting January 19th, if you buy the wrong train ticket, you can get a free online refund within 30 minutes after paying—*and* only if it's more than 4 hours before the train leaves.  

Enceladus: That's great! No more losing money for small mistakes, haha. I've heard so many people complain about wrong tickets before.  

Erinome: Right! Now, here's a fun one: a company in Zhejiang is giving a 35-day Spring Festival holiday! And employees who leave and come back on time get a 5,000 yuan prize. The boss said they've done this for over 10 years.  

Enceladus: 35 days? Wow, that's a super long holiday! I wish my company did that, haha. That must make employees really happy.  

Erinome: For sure! Moving on to Hainan: the first month after Hainan Free Trade Port closed its customs, duty-free sales reached 4.86 billion yuan. 745,000 people shopped there, buying 3.494 million items.  

Enceladus: That's a huge number! Hainan's duty-free shopping is really popular, right? So many people go there to buy things.  

Erinome: Yep! Now some good news from space: China's "Chuanyuezhe-1" (穿越者壹号) manned spaceship test module successfully did a landing buffer test. It's the first time for China's commercial space industry!  

Enceladus: Wow, that's cool! China's space technology is getting better and better. So proud!  

Erinome: Definitely. But now some sad news: famous nuclear physicist Wei Baowen passed away at 91. And Hong Kong martial arts star Liang Xiaolong also died at 77. Now only two of the "Hong Kong Four Dragons" are left.  

Enceladus: Oh no, that's really sad. They both did so much in their fields. Rest in peace.  

Erinome: Yeah. Next, an accident in Inner Mongolia: a板材 (ban cai) factory exploded. 2 people died, 2 are missing, and 78 were sent to the hospital. The cause is still being investigated.  

Enceladus: Oh no, that's terrible. Hope the missing people are found safe, and the injured get better soon.  

Erinome: Me too. On a better note, a mountain fire in Nujiang, Yunnan lasted two days, but over 300 people worked to put it out. Officials said the fire is now under control, and no one was hurt.  

Enceladus: Thank goodness no one got hurt! Firefighters are so brave, working so hard in dangerous situations.  

Erinome: Absolutely. Now, a strange scam story: a man in Chenzhou, Hunan believed someone who said they could invest in buying tanks from Russia for "preparing for war". He was cheated out of 420,000 yuan!  

Enceladus: Wow, that's crazy! How could he believe that? Scams are so tricky. People need to be more careful.  

Erinome: For sure. Last news: Singapore is cracking down hard on e-cigarettes. Suppliers could get up to 20 years in prison and 15 lashes. Even foreigners will get the same punishment.  

Enceladus: Whoa, that's really strict! They must want to stop e-cigarettes completely.  

Erinome: Okay, that's all the news for today. Stay safe, everyone, especially with the snow and rain coming. Let's talk again next time!  

Enceladus: Bye for now!

Erinome: Hello dear friends! Welcome to our daily chat. Today, let’s talk about a sad story in the food world. Enceladus, have you eaten at Xibei before?  

Enceladus: Xibei? Oh right! That’s a famous Chinese restaurant chain. Their lamb dishes are so good! What’s wrong with them?  

Erinome: Sad news… They’re closing 102 stores! That’s 30% of all their stores. Can you believe it?  

Enceladus: 102 stores? Wow, that’s a lot! Is this just a rumor?  

Erinome: No, it’s true. Jia Guolong, the founder of Xibei, told the media it’s real. He didn’t lie.  

Enceladus: Why? What happened to Xibei? They were so popular before.  

Erinome: Let’s go back to September 2025. They had a big problem—“pre-made food风波 (fengbo, crisis)”. Jia Guolong said it was the biggest crisis since Xibei started.  

Enceladus: Pre-made food crisis? What’s that? Like… they used pre-cooked food instead of making fresh dishes?  

Erinome: Exactly! Many customers got angry. They said, “We pay for fresh food, not pre-made!” So people stopped going to Xibei.  

Enceladus: Oh no, that must hurt their business a lot. Did Jia Guolong say sorry?  

Erinome: Yes! In December 2025, he said, “I’m wrong. I apologize to customers, to employees, and to myself.” He really felt bad.  

Enceladus: Apologizing is good. Did that help? Did people come back?  

Erinome: They tried more. Last October and November, they gave out big coupons—over 300 million yuan in total! Like “spend 50 get 50 back”, or even free 100-yuan coupons.  

Enceladus: 300 million yuan? That’s so much money! You know, that’s like giving free meals to many people. Did it work?  

Erinome: At first, maybe. But this January, their business was still down 50% compared to last year. So… the coupons didn’t save them.  

Enceladus: Oh no… So 50% less customers? That’s really bad. Why?  

Erinome: Some people said after the pre-made food crisis, no Xibei store made money. They even lost over 500 million yuan.  

Enceladus: 500 million? That’s a huge loss! What about the costs? Like rent and salaries?  

Erinome: Jia Guolong said each store’s profit was only 5%. Last November, their total income was 265 million yuan—less than half of before. But just salaries that month? 135 million yuan!  

Enceladus: Wow, salaries alone are almost half their income. No wonder they can’t keep the stores open.  

Erinome: Right. So closing 102 stores is a hard choice. Some people say about 4,000 employees might lose their jobs. But Xibei hasn’t confirmed that yet.  

Enceladus: 4,000 people? Oh no, that’s so sad for them. Did Xibei try to help employees before?  

Erinome: Yes! Last September, they gave 500 yuan津贴 (jintie, subsidy) to front-line workers—like cooks and servers. Then in October, they added more subsidies: 300-800 yuan per person.  

Enceladus: That’s kind. But with so many stores closing… maybe those subsidies aren’t enough now.  

Erinome: Jia Guolong said he learned a lesson. He said, “I can’t be so独断专行 (duduan zhuanxing, bossy) anymore. This made me see my own幼稚 (youzhi, childish) and ignorance.”  

Enceladus: It’s brave to say that. Maybe Xibei can get better after this? Close bad stores, focus on good ones?  

Erinome: Maybe. But right now, many people will miss their favorite dishes. I loved their noodles…  

Enceladus: Me too. Let’s hope they can fix things. Business is hard, especially after a big crisis.  

Erinome: Yeah. Okay, that’s the news for today. Thanks for listening, friends.  

Enceladus: Bye everyone! Let’s talk again next time.

Erinome: Hello dear friends! Welcome to our daily news chat. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Let's see what interesting news we have today, shall we?  

Enceladus: Yeah, let's start! First up, the 2026 Spring Festival Gala had its first rehearsal. Oh, I heard the theme is "Qiji Chicheng"—that sounds cool! And robots will be on the stage again.  

Erinome: Wow, robots again? I remember they were so cute last year. "Qiji Chicheng" probably means something like "strong horses running"—hope the show is great!  

Enceladus: Next, sports news! U23 Asian Cup: China's national team beat Uzbekistan 4-2! They got into the semi-finals for the first time ever! Next, they'll play Vietnam.  

Erinome: Oh my, that's amazing!历史性首进四强—so exciting! I hope they do well in the semi-finals.  

Enceladus: Right! Now, energy news: In 2025, China's electricity use broke 10 trillion kWh. That's the first time a single country in the world has done that. And it's more than twice the US's yearly use!  

Erinome: Whoa, that's a huge number! Our country uses so much electricity—must mean our life and industry are developing fast.  

Enceladus: Yep! Then, officials said they support new types of consumption, like new models and scenes. And they'll make plans to help people earn more money.  

Erinome: Oh, that's good! More ways to spend and more income—people will be happier, right?  

Enceladus: For sure. Next, two departments said the down payment for commercial housing loans should be at least 30%. So if you buy a business building, you need to pay 30% first.  

Erinome: Hmm, that's a rule change. Maybe to make the market more stable?  

Enceladus: Maybe. Then, China Railway said from February 1st, they'll expand "quiet carriages" to over 8000 trains. Oh, I love quiet carriages—no loud talking!  

Erinome: Me too! It's so nice for people who want to read or sleep. Good move!  

Enceladus: Now, weather news: Henan will have a big snowstorm. The temperature will drop over 20℃, and snow could be 18 cm deep. The national disaster office sent a team there.  

Erinome: Oh no, that sounds really cold! Hope people in Henan stay warm and safe.  

Enceladus: Yeah, be careful out there. Next, Lanzhou Longshan Ski Resort had a problem—their cable car stopped working, and 104 tourists were trapped. But official said everyone was saved, no one got hurt.  

Erinome: Phew! So scary, but glad everyone is okay. Cable cars need to be checked well, right?  

Enceladus: For sure. Then, Li Yapeng's Beijing Yanran Angel Children's Hospital owes 20 million yuan in rent and might close. But netizens donated over 13 million yuan in 3 days!  

Erinome: Sad to hear the hospital is in trouble, but so kind of people to help. Hope they can keep running.  

Enceladus: Me too. Next, 10 "Xiaozihao" children's creams were found with banned hormones and drugs. And the companies had been fined many times before.  

Erinome: Oh no! That's dangerous for kids! How can they do that? Parents must be so worried.  

Enceladus: It's really bad. Then, on the 17th, two rockets in China didn't launch successfully—one from the state team, one from a private company. They're checking why.  

Erinome: Um, rocket launches are hard. Hope they find the reasons soon and try again.  

Enceladus: Yeah, science needs patience. Okay, that's most of the news for today.  

Erinome: Alright, everyone. Thanks for listening! Stay safe and we'll talk again next time. Bye!  

Enceladus: Bye!

Erinome：Hello dear friends! Welcome to our podcast. Today we are going to talk about a hot topic: Ctrip is being investigated for anti-monopoly. Have you heard about this, Enceladus?  

Enceladus：Oh right! I saw the news last week. The market regulator started the investigation. But why? What did Ctrip do?  

Erinome：Hmm, let’s start with how Ctrip makes money. They mainly get money from two ways: ads and commissions. Ads are like Douyin’s promotion, but commissions are more important here.  

Enceladus：Commissions? Like, they take money from hotels?  

Erinome：Yes! There are three types. The first is "normal cooperation" — about 10% commission. Hotels set their own prices, but Ctrip gives almost no traffic support. Just a "channel fee".  

Enceladus：Oh, so no help with getting customers. What about the second type?  

Erinome：Second is "gold cooperation" — 12% commission. Hotels must promise their price on Ctrip is at least 5% lower than other platforms. Then Ctrip helps them get more customers, shows them first.  

Enceladus：Wow, so lower price for more traffic. And the third?  

Erinome：Third is "special cooperation" — 15% commission. Hotels must be exclusive to Ctrip, not on other platforms. Then Ctrip gives the biggest traffic support, even puts them at the top.  

Enceladus：Oh! That sounds like "you can only work with me". Is that the problem?  

Erinome：Probably! Because in 2021, Alibaba was fined 18.2 billion yuan for similar "exclusive cooperation". They told merchants: sell only on Taobao, not JD or Pinduoduo.  

Enceladus：Oh right! So Ctrip’s "special cooperation" is like Alibaba’s "choose one from two"? That’s against the anti-monopoly law?  

Erinome：Yes! And hotels can’t say no easily. You know why? Hotels have "perishable inventory".  

Enceladus：Perishable inventory? What’s that?  

Erinome：Like hotel rooms. If a room isn’t sold tonight, it’s gone forever. You can’t save it for tomorrow. So hotels really need to fill rooms every day.  

Enceladus：Oh no! So if Ctrip says "work with me exclusively, or I won’t send customers", hotels have to agree? Otherwise, rooms stay empty and they lose money.  

Erinome：Exactly! Some people say Ctrip’s real commission is 20-30% because hotels have to buy ads to get traffic. It’s like "pay more, or your rooms stay empty".  

Enceladus：That’s sad. What about "killing熟" (shā shú)? You know, giving higher prices to old customers. Is that why Ctrip is being investigated?  

Erinome：Hmm, maybe not. Some people think so, but big platforms probably don’t do it. Why? Because it’s too risky. Two friends check prices on their phones — if different, everyone will know. Then big trouble with regulators.  

Enceladus：Oh, right! Then why do prices sometimes look different?  

Erinome：Maybe "Apple tax" — Apple takes 30%, so some platforms charge more on iPhones. Or coupons: new users get bigger discounts, old users get smaller ones. Or prices change quickly, like flight tickets.  

Enceladus：I see. So what will happen next? Will Ctrip be fined?  

Erinome：Likely! Alibaba was fined 4% of its sales. Ctrip’s 2024 sales were about 53 billion yuan, so maybe 2 billion yuan fine. Not as big as Alibaba, but still a lot.  

Enceladus：What整改 (zhěnggǎi) will Ctrip do? Like, change rules?  

Erinome：Yes! They’ll probably stop "exclusive cooperation" and make traffic rules more clear. Then, other platforms like Meituan or Feizhu might give hotels more subsidies. So maybe we can buy cheaper hotel rooms in the next six months!  

Enceladus：Wow, that’s good for us! Will this change the travel industry?  

Erinome：Probably not much. Ctrip is still the biggest. Market dominance is from their business model, not just rules. Hotels might use more channels: Ctrip for sales, Xiaohongshu for ads, Douyin for live streams. But Ctrip’s position won’t change easily.  

Enceladus：So how to solve high commissions? Just wait for regulators?  

Erinome：No, competition is more important. If Meituan charges too much, JD can try to take over. If Didi is expensive, Gaode can compete. As long as there’s competition, companies can’t be too垄断 (lǒngduàn).  

Enceladus：That makes sense. So knowing all this… what’s the use for us?  

Erinome：Haha, maybe just more topics to chat with friends at lunch! Business is interesting, right?  

Enceladus：Yes! Okay, that’s it for today. Let’s talk again next time. Bye everyone!  

Erinome：Bye!

Erinome: Hello everyone! Welcome to today's news chat. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Let's dive into the latest updates together, shall we?  

Enceladus: Sure! I’m excited to hear what’s new. Let’s start!  

Erinome: First up, some great news for China’s trade! In 2025, China’s total import and export value broke 45 trillion yuan for the first time. That’s a new record! And we’re still the world’s top货物贸易 (huowu maoyi) country. Wow, that’s amazing!  

Enceladus: Oh wow, 45 trillion yuan! That’s a huge number. So we kept the first place in global trade? That makes me proud!  

Erinome: Yep! Next, the central bank has some plans. On January 15th, they will do a 900 billion yuan reverse repo operation with a 6-month term. And this is the 8th month in a row they’re increasing the amount.  

Enceladus: Um, reverse repo… that’s like putting more money into the market, right? To help the economy run smoothly?  

Erinome: I think so! Now, about banks. In 2025, over 11,000 bank branches closed, but more than 8,400 new ones opened. So the net decrease was over 2,000 branches.  

Enceladus: Oh, so more closing than opening. Maybe people use online banking more now, so we don’t need as many线下网点 (xianxia wangdian)?  

Erinome: Probably! Next, good news for people wanting to change houses. Three departments said the tax refund policy for changing houses is extended to the end of 2027. If you sell your current house and buy a new one within a year, you can get tax back.  

Enceladus: That’s helpful! Maybe more people will move to bigger or better houses now. Nice!  

Erinome: Right! Now Nanjing is making it easier to settle down. People under 45 with a bachelor’s degree can直接落户 (zhijie luohu), and those with level 3 or higher职业技能 (zhiye jineng) can too.  

Enceladus: Wow, that’s a big change! Young people or skilled workers might move to Nanjing more now. Good for the city!  

Erinome: Next, a report from Qiancheng Wuyou (前程无忧) says in 2025, the overall employee turnover rate dropped to 14.8%. It’s been going down for 3 years in a row.  

Enceladus: Oh, so people are staying in their jobs longer? Maybe they like their work more now, or the job market is more stable?  

Erinome: Maybe both! Now, a sweet news from Jilin. Changbai Mountain’s marriage registration office has a new policy: couples who get married there can get free tickets for life to the scenic area!  

Enceladus: Aww, that’s so romantic! Imagine getting married and then visiting Changbai Mountain for free forever. Haha, maybe more couples will go there to tie the knot!  

Erinome: So sweet! But next is a sad one. Many快递驿站 (kuaidi yizhan) are for sale online. Their owners say they work over 10 hours a day, but only make 5,000-6,000 yuan a month.  

Enceladus: Oh no, that’s really hard. Working so long for not much money… That’s sad. I hope things get better for them.  

Erinome: Me too. Now, sports news! In the U23 Asian Cup, China drew 0-0 with Thailand. And for the first time, we got to the knockout stage without losing a group game!  

Enceladus: Yes! That’s a big step! So proud of the team. They must have worked really hard.  

Erinome: Totally! Now, short dramas are booming. In 2025, global short drama in-app purchase revenue was over 2.8 billion US dollars, up 116% from last year.  

Enceladus: Oh right! Everyone watches short dramas on apps now. They’re quick and fun. No wonder the revenue is up so much, you know that?  

Erinome: Yep! Last news for today: a terrible accident in Thailand. A crane at a railway construction site fell and hit a moving train. 32 people died and 67 were injured. The report said the project section has no Chinese companies involved.  

Enceladus: Oh no, that’s so tragic. My heart goes out to the families. Such a sad incident.  

Erinome: It really is. Okay, that’s all the news for today. Thanks for joining us, everyone!  

Enceladus: Yeah, see you next time! Bye!

Erinome：Hello dear friends, today we are going to talk about a sad news from a school in Chongqing. Have you heard about it, Enceladus?  

Enceladus：Um, no. What happened?  

Erinome：A video went viral online. It showed a student being held down on the ground by some teachers and forced to cut his hair. Oh no, it’s really upsetting.  

Enceladus：Oh no! That sounds terrible. Why did the teachers do that?  

Erinome：The school said the student’s hair didn’t meet the school rules—like he had permed or dyed hair. So the teachers tried to fix it by force.  

Enceladus：Wait, the school has rules about hair? Like, what kind of hair is not allowed?  

Erinome：Yes, maybe long hair, dyed or permed hair. But the big problem is how they handled it. The video shows the student was pressed down, struggling a lot, and the teachers used a razor to cut his hair. So sad, right?  

Enceladus：So sad! Holding a student down to cut hair—how could teachers do that? Is this allowed in schools?  

Erinome：No, of course not. The news said laws like the Education Law and Teacher Law clearly ban physical punishment. Teachers can’t use force like this.  

Enceladus：Then what did the school do after this?  

Erinome：The school released a statement. They said the teachers’ method was "simple and inappropriate". They criticized the teachers, told them to apologize to the student and his parents, and the family forgave them.  

Enceladus：But is "inappropriate" enough? The student was on the ground,反抗 (fankang) strongly. That must hurt his feelings, you know? Like being shamed.  

Erinome：Exactly! Many people are angry because it’s not just a "simple method". It’s violence. The student’s body and dignity were hurt.  

Enceladus：Do you think the school’s hair rules are too strict? I mean, now young people like to have different hairstyles. Why can’t schools be more flexible?  

Erinome：Good question. The news said schools need to think about today’s society. Thirty years ago, maybe strict rules made sense, but now students want to show their personalities. Hair doesn’t make a student "bad", right?  

Enceladus：Right! A student with dyed hair isn’t a bad student. Schools should teach, not force. Why didn’t they talk to the student first? Or call his parents?  

Erinome：That’s the key! The news said even if the hair is not "standard", teachers should educate patiently, guide the student, work with parents. Not use force.  

Enceladus：So many people are talking about this video. Why?  

Erinome：Because it makes people worry. If teachers can force a haircut over hair rules, what else might happen? Parents will think, "Is my child safe at school? Will their dignity be protected?"  

Enceladus：Yes, I can understand parents’ fear. The video spread quickly, and everyone feels angry for the student.  

Erinome：The school said they will "learn a lesson" and "improve teacher ethics". But is that enough? Just an apology and criticism?  

Enceladus：Hmm, maybe not. The news mentioned a famous saying: "Education is one tree shaking another tree, one cloud pushing another cloud, one soul waking another soul." Forcing a haircut is not "waking"—it’s压制 (yazhi), pressing down.  

Erinome：That’s a good point. Real education should respect students, not make them obey by force. Do you think the student will get over this?  

Enceladus：I hope so, but it might leave a心理阴影 (xinli yinying), a bad memory. Being held down, everyone watching—how can that not hurt?  

Erinome：The news said it’s not just "inappropriate behavior". It’s against the law and hurts the student’s psychology.  

Enceladus：So what do you think schools should do now?  

Erinome：First, change the way they enforce rules. Talk, don’t force. Second, make hair rules more reasonable, not "one size fits all". Third, really train teachers to respect students, not punish them.  

Enceladus：I agree. Rules are for management, not for hurting students. Schools are places for learning, not for fear.  

Erinome：Yes. Let’s hope this incident makes more schools think: what is real education? It’s about hearts, not haircuts.  

Enceladus：That’s right. Okay, maybe we should end here. It’s a sad story, but important to talk about.  

Erinome：Okay, that's it for today. Let's hope schools learn from this and treat students with more respect. See you next time!  

Enceladus：See you!

Erinome: Hey everyone! Welcome to our daily news chat. I'm Erinome, and sitting next to me is Enceladus. Let's dive into today's top stories, shall we?  

Enceladus: Sure! Let's start with the first one. What's up?  

Erinome: Well, the 2026 Year of the Horse commemorative coins and banknotes! Their pre-orders sold out in seconds. And guess what? In the secondary market, their price is more than double the original. Wow, that's crazy fast!  

Enceladus: Oh no, I wanted to get one as a gift. People really love these, huh?  

Erinome: Yeah, they do. Next, let's talk about entertainment. 2025's national commercial performance box office reached 61.655 billion yuan, up 6.39% from last year. The audience number was 194 million, a 4.22% increase. That's good for the industry!  

Enceladus: Sad, I missed so many shows last year. Maybe I should go more this year, haha.  

Erinome: Right! Now, travel news. China Railway Group says from January 26th, a new train schedule starts. They plan to run 12,130 passenger trains, 243 more than before. More trains mean easier travel, right?  

Enceladus: Um, perfect! I need to visit my family soon. This will help a lot.  

Erinome: Good to hear. Next, product safety news. New national standards for sanitary pads are approved—their technical requirements are all upgraded. Also, new rules for fiber products, focusing on baby textiles and school uniforms. Safety first!  

Enceladus: Oh right, these products are super important, especially for kids. Better standards mean healthier lives.  

Erinome: Exactly. Now tech news: Liang Wenfeng from DeepSeek wrote a new paper. He found a new way to break GPU memory limits. Cool, right?  

Enceladus: Wow, that might make computers work better, you know that? Maybe games will run smoother!  

Erinome: Maybe! But bad news for shoppers: memory shortage is making prices go up. Many laptop and phone brands are raising prices. Dealers say prices even go up from afternoon to night, and they'll keep rising. Oh no, I wanted a new phone!  

Enceladus: Sad, maybe I should wait to buy. Or find a cheaper one, haha.  

Erinome: Let's switch to Suzhou. Many places there heard loud unknown noises—windows shook, and it sounded like "thunder bombs". Officials say it's not an explosion, and they're still checking the cause. Scary!  

Enceladus: Um, hope it's nothing serious. Maybe just a big storm or something?  

Erinome: Let's hope. Now flu news: flu activity in China has dropped for four weeks. It's now at a medium level, and all found pathogens are common ones. Good news!  

Enceladus: Haha, finally! Less flu around means fewer people getting sick.  

Erinome: Right. Next, Inner Mongolia: a primary school's uniforms had a thin film, and people said it's not breathable. Local report says the "film" is TPU, which can be used in clothing. Oh, so it's safe then?  

Enceladus: You know that TPU is a material, maybe for waterproofing? Maybe it's okay.  

Erinome: Maybe. Now, Guizhou Museum's old building: 29 cultural relics are missing or stolen. A joint investigation team is set up. Oh no, those relics are important!  

Enceladus: Sad, hope they find them soon. Relics are part of history.  

Erinome: Agreed. Now space news: an astronaut on the International Space Station has health issues. The 4-person team plans to return to Earth on the 14th by the "Dragon" spacecraft. Hope the astronaut is okay!  

Enceladus: Wow, space is tough. Hope they get back safely.  

Erinome: Last story: Japanese media says Takachiho Sanae wants to dissolve the House of Representatives on the 23rd for early elections. Also, Japan has had over 10,000 company bankruptcies for two years—service and construction industries are hit hard.  

Enceladus: Sad, tough times for businesses there. Hope things get better.  

Erinome: Okay, that's it for today. Thanks for listening, everyone! Let's talk again next time. Bye!  

Enceladus: Bye!