Deep in Shiyi Lane of the old city, there is an inconspicuous shop - Fanwu Zhai. Chen Fan, a young restorer, inherited the craftsmanship left by his grandfather, but unexpectedly awakened his superpower on the first day of opening: as long as he touches old objects, he can see the "afterimage of time" attached to them. Those unfinished wishes, buried regrets, and forgotten obsessions all turned into concrete shadows and asked him for help.
From a Republic of China pocket watch that stopped at six o'clock, to a pen that couldn't write, to a pair of scissors that always made noise late at night, while Chen Fan was repairing old things, he was also repairing people's hearts. He uses the most ordinary tools to resolve the most extraordinary obsessions. Every time he completes a repair, he will obtain "skill fragments" from the afterimage - watch repair, calligraphy, wood carving, massage... These seemingly ordinary skills become his "superpowers" at critical moments.
However, as his reputation gradually grew, a mysterious organization "The Skimmers" quietly appeared. They capture afterimages, intensify their obsessions, and turn emotional energy into profit-making tools, even destroying the entire garbage alley. In order to protect the old objects and residents, Chen Fan formed the "Afterimage Guardian Team" with folk journalist Lin Xi, technology geek Wang Xiaopang, and retired afterimage master Mr. Zhong to fight against the dark forces with the heart of a craftsman.
This is a story about restoration and redemption. In the cold city, every old thing hides a warm past, and every restoration is a gentle response to the passing time.
