Traditional books back in fashion

For example, the publisher is now working on a series of picture books about the Forbidden City targeted at teenagers, Pan says. In each volume, there will be a beast from the Forbidden City as the narrator that will use humorous language and vivid pictures to talk about assorted cultural relics.

Besides, since 2015, Xiron has been working on a completed collection of Twenty-four Histories, which is translated from ancient Chinese into modern Chinese.

"The existing versions of Twenty-four Histories are either too difficult for common readers or incomplete because they are excerpts selected by the compilers," he says.

"We decided to spend 10 years preparing this huge book that covers a wide range of topics in the dynasties throughout Chinese history," the 38-year-old says.

"Translated and revised by historians and experts, our version will allow readers to acquire Chinese ancient wisdom through light reading," he says.

The classics will ultimately stay after the sifting time, but "what we need to do is to transform those cold texts into something warm and alive, just like craftspeople", Pan says, "which is quite challenging".