By the time we had lunch, the train was already running through Germany. The sky was still gray, and the raindrops drew many transparent rays on the windows, shivering and flying towards the back of the car. Train attendants pushed the lunch cart out of the aisle, and most passengers woke up from their lethargy and began to enjoy German cuisine, including Nuremberg sausages and gnocchi. Chen Ying drank pea soup while listening to Franz describe how to make German ravioli.

"You see, Germans and Chinese have similar food preferences, but we prefer to make it square. It is rolled into long strips like this, cooked and then cut into sections, which looks a bit like Japanese sushi. He put the round bread on the plate in front of him and showed it to Chen Ying, "My mother's wontons are so delicious, she knows I like to add more onions to the filling." ”

"It's delicious." Hans agreed. Suddenly, he pointed out the window and said, "Frankfurt." ”

At some point, the train has crossed the Main and is speeding along the edge of the city. The bell spire of the Emperor's Cathedral stands out among the countless houses with black tiles and white walls. On the round dial on all four sides of the bell tower, two golden hands silently inform passers-by of the time. The city was bombed thirty-three times in World War II and eighty percent of the buildings were razed to the ground, but the church survived and stood majestically in a modern, rebuilt building.

"The city has been almost completely rebuilt." Franz said, looking out the window.

Chen Ying looked at the Gothic church and the few old houses with black tiles and white walls by the lake, and suddenly remembered Wang Yi. She didn't ask him if he had been in London recently, or if he had been to Frankfurt.

After nearly two more hours, the train stopped at the German-Czech border. Three border guards stepped onto the train and checked the passengers' passports one by one. Two men put an entry stamp on their passports while checking their visas, and the other stood behind them, vigilantly observing the carriage. They were all dressed in green camouflage uniforms with berets on their heads. All the passengers sat honestly in their seats, and even the little ones who were crying in the back seat just now quieted down.

"Passport." The border guard stretched out his hand to Chen Ying. She hurriedly handed over the crimson-clad passport and watched with bated breath as he studied her visa for a moment, then stamped a distinct green mark on the blank page. He didn't look at Chen Ying, and stuffed the passport into her hand. Then he asked for passports from two elderly Germans. Franz and Hans hurriedly pulled out of their pockets.

When the three of them had gone a little farther away, the atmosphere in the carriage relaxed, and everyone resumed talking. The sudden episode left Chen Ying in shock, and she kept looking behind her, wondering if the border guards had all left.

"It doesn't matter, as long as your visa is legal, they can't do anything to you." Franz comforted her. Hans also put on a funny appearance to indicate a false alarm.

"I can only stay in the Czech Republic for no more than five days." "Because the Czech Republic has not yet joined Schengen, I can only stay for a short time in transit. ”

"Then don't take more than five days." Franz earnestly admonished her, "Don't trample on the rules of other countries, that will only bring trouble to yourself." ”

"Okay." Chen Ying promised him.

"I think it's a good choice for you to take a trip to Prague." Hans suddenly said, "It is the most beautiful city in Europe." ”

"Prague is also one of the oldest cities in all of Europe." Franz went on to say, "It survived the Second World War and has Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. Have you looked closely at the euro? As he spoke, he took out a pair of ten yuan and twenty yuan euros from his pocket and held them up in front of Chen Ying's eyes, "You see, the buildings above the ten pieces are Romanesque, and the buildings above the twenty are Gothic." ”

"Originally, the euro was designed according to the history of architectural development." Chen Ying said in surprise.

"That's pretty much it, because the evolution of architecture is a reflection of the history and culture of different eras. It's hard to see buildings of all historical periods in a European city, and Prague is one such living museum. Once there, you'd better head to Castle Hill, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city in addition to the Royal Palace. Prague's architecture is rich in variety and colour, and its landscapes are a World Heritage Site. Franz said regretfully, "There are no such cities in Germany." ”

When the train arrived, it was dark. The streets of Prague are lit up in a warm yellow light, and the tops of the black towers are reflected in the final twilight. Franz and Hans helped Chen Ying around asking about hostels suitable for students, and they didn't let go until they watched her check in and get her key card.

"Remember to leave the Czech Republic within five days." These were the last words Franz said before leaving.