Teacher Sun's words made Hua Jin stunned for a long time. Looking at her hands that had become rough and even deformed due to years of weaving, Hua Jin smiled and said, "No, the teachers are all very good."
"I'm glad you didn't get scared." Teacher Sun was a little happy. "The interview with you will be aired tonight. It's a pity that it's too late now and you can't watch the premiere. Remember to watch the replay tomorrow at noon."
Hua Jin looked at Teacher Sun in surprise. How could Teacher Sun know that she was interviewed by a TV reporter?
Seeing Hua Jin's expression, Teacher Sun laughed and said, "I forgot to tell you that the reporter who interviewed you last time was my niece. After she came back, she couldn't let go of the handkerchief you gave her. Later, when I saw the business card you gave her, I realized that the person she interviewed that day was you."
Hua Jin had never thought that there would be such a coincidence in the world. No wonder Teacher Sun introduced her to those seniors. She waved her hand and hailed a taxi, "Teacher Sun, where do you live? I'll take you home first."
"No, I can just ride a shared bike back." Teacher Sun waved his hand and said, "Taking a taxi is too expensive, we can't waste it."
"The fare has a price, but the knowledge you bring me here is priceless." Hua Jin helped Teacher Sun get into the car. "You've taken so much trouble to accompany me here. How can I feel at ease if I don't send you home safely in the middle of the night?"
The two sat side by side in the back seat of the car. Teacher Sun told the driver the address and suddenly slapped his thigh: "Hey, Sister Zhou just asked me to add you to the group, how come I forgot about it as soon as I went out. Come on, let's add each other as WeChat friends and I'll add you to the group."
Hua Jin obediently took out her mobile phone, clicked on the QR code and added Teacher Sun as a friend. Then she was pulled into a WeChat group called "Evergreen". There were not many people in the group, and there were only more than a dozen people including her.
My surname is Zhou: Sister Sun, you brought Xiaohua in, I thought you forgot about it.
I never thought that Teacher Zhou Yun, who looks so elegant, would have such a domineering name.
Fanhua: Hello, Teacher Zhou.
My surname is Zhou: We are all family in the group, so don’t be too polite. There are people who make dough figurines, bottles and jars, weave grass, and carve tree roots in the group. They are all older than you. We don’t care, as long as we have a good chat.
As soon as Zhou Yun sent out this message, some people in the group started to speak up. The names they chose were also very interesting, such as "Tang who carves tree roots", "Chen who pinches jars", "My sugar-painted kingdom", "Qian who makes dough figurines", etc. Their styles are lively and their identities are easy to recognize.
Hua Jin also discovered that these old men and women refreshed their screens very quickly and were very skilled in using emoticons. There were even many interesting emoticons that even a young person like her didn’t have.
These are a group of old men and women who are engaged in traditional handicrafts but are very fashionable.
After silently saving a few interesting emojis, Hua Jin chatted with these old people for a few words, and then received a string of friend requests. Hua Jin approved all the requests and gave them names such as "Sugar Painting Teacher Jiang", "Dough Doll Teacher Qian", "Tree Sculpture Teacher Tang", etc. Teacher Sun, who was sitting next to her, accidentally saw her notes and shook his head, saying, "What teacher or not, we are just old stubborn people who cling to old things."
"Who said that? You are obviously masters of protecting traditional beauty." Hua Jin filled in the notes of the new friends one by one and smiled at Teacher Sun, "If you are old stubborn, then I am not a little stubborn?"
Teacher Sun was so pleased with Hua Jin's words that she smiled happily. Looking at young people like Hua Jin, she seemed to see hope for the future of traditional art.
After sending Teacher Sun to her home, Hua Jin refused his invitation to come in and rest, and turned around and went downstairs.
Following the crowd and squeezing into the subway, Hua Jin saw many young people playing with their mobile phones, looking tired and numb. There were not many passengers on this route, and Hua Jin found a seat. Not long after she sat down, a couple not far away started to quarrel.
The quarrel between the two attracted the attention of many passengers. Noticing everyone's gaze, the girl seemed a little embarrassed. She turned her back to face the window, her shoulders shaking slightly, probably crying.
"Cry, cry, cry, just cry." The boy was still angry. "But with our current income, we can't live here forever. Prices are lower in my hometown, and I have family members to help me at work. What exactly are you dissatisfied with?!"
The girl still didn't speak, but her shoulders were shaking more violently.
Hua Jin retracted her gaze. This kind of thing happens almost every day. The pressure of life is enough to wear away all emotions and patience. Many people are struggling for life.
After a while, when she looked up again, the couple had stopped arguing, and the boy was with the girl, holding two tissues in his hands. Neither of them spoke, and Hua Jin saw confusion on the girl's face.
The subway arrived at the station, and Hua Jin got off the subway. The air conditioning in the subway was too strong, and she shivered. When she walked to the exit, the alternating hot and cold feeling made her feel refreshed. After walking for a while, she came to the alley below the rental house, and she saw a red sports car parked more than ten meters away.
She couldn't help but take one more look, and remembered that Pei Yan also liked to park the car there when he sent her home, so she couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth.
Seeing Hua Jin enter the alley, Pei Yan, who was lying under the steering wheel, slowly poked his head out. Thinking of his inexplicable behavior of hiding just now, Pei Yan reached out and pulled the tie around his neck and sighed.
Tilting his head to look at the dark alley, he started the car and drove away from the place.
He didn't know what he was avoiding, and he didn't even understand why he had to sit outside in this shabby alley for two or three hours. It was just like... like a disgusting pervert.
After returning home, Pei Yan turned on the shower, adjusted the water to ice-cold, and splashed it on his face.
Maybe the cold water would sober him up.
"Mr. Pei, are you back?" The maid knocked on the door outside.
Wiping his face dry with a towel, Pei Yan opened the door and said, "Well, what's going on?"
"In the afternoon, Mr. Meng Tao sent a gift over." The maid brought over a wooden box.
"Meng Tao?" Pei Yan took the wooden box, thanked the servant, and turned to put the box on the table. Putting a towel on his head, he opened the lid of the box. After seeing what was in the box, he froze.
In the box is a very exquisite embroidered screen of a lady, with a signature on it. It is the work of a domestic master embroiderer.
On the embroidered screen, there was also a beautiful card with the words "I happened to get this beautiful thing, and I couldn't bear to see it covered in dust, so I gave it to Mr. Pei."
Pearl covered in dust?
Oh, if I give it to him, it won't be a waste of time. When did he ever say that he likes this kind of thing?
Pei Yan closed the lid of the box and threw aside the towel on his head. How come he became involved with embroidery after meeting Hua Jin?
Pei Yan's cell phone rang, and he received a message from an assistant saying that it was the twentieth anniversary of the death of a master of traditional musical instruments. His descendants wanted to exhibit the musical instruments and materials he made during his lifetime, hoping to get a discount on the price of renting the exhibition hall.
After reading the information sent by the assistant, Pei Yan remembered what Hua Jin said, that traditional crafts are becoming increasingly difficult nowadays, and many skills have been lost.
Looking at the black-and-white photo of the kind-looking old man on the screen, Pei Yan pinched his nose and replied to his assistant: "Lend it to them for free."
Traditional craftsmanship is a family, so he is supporting the traditional industry.
The next time she met Mr. Mark was in his studio. After visiting Mr. Mark's studio, Hua Jin had to admit a cruel reality: her studio could only be considered a small workshop. Only a studio with grand decoration, large area and many assistants could be considered high-end.
After signing the work agreement, Mark stood up and shook hands with Hua Jin: "I wonder if I have the honor to invite Miss Hua Jin to have a simple meal?"
"Mr. Mark, you are too polite." Hua Jin let go of his hand, nodded and smiled at Mark, "How can I trouble you?"
"Dining with Miss Hua Jin is a spiritual enjoyment, how can it be a trouble." Mark said with a smile, "Please."
"Thank you very much." Hua Jin agreed, and the two walked into the elevator together. Mark's assistant pressed the elevator for them. The three of them came to a beautiful western restaurant and found a secluded corner to sit down.
"Actually, when I first met Miss Hua Jin, I was very surprised." Mark poured a glass of red wine for Hua Jin, "You are much younger than I thought."
"Mr. Mark, you are so young, but you have become such a great designer. What's so surprising about someone like me?" Hua Jin took the red wine glass and wiped the corner of his mouth.
"I'm already 34 years old. When I was in college, you were still in elementary school. If we had known each other then, you would probably have called me uncle." Mark smiled, "You're not young anymore."
Hua Jin smiled and didn't answer. Today, Mark wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and when he smiled, he looked a bit elegant. From the outside, he didn't look like a designer dealing with fashion, but more like a professor in a school.
Mark is a person who is easy to like. Not only is he careful with his words, but his words and actions also show his respect for women. Such a man can almost be called perfect.
After dinner, Mark offered to send Hua Jin back home, but Hua Jin refused. She said half seriously and half jokingly, "Please rest assured, Mr. Mark, I will not run away halfway before completing the embroidery you need."
Mark chuckled and didn't insist on sending Hua Jin back. He hailed a taxi and sent her in.
"Hua Jin, see you next time." Mark stood outside the car door, bowed his head and smiled at Hua Jin.
Hua Jin nodded and smiled at Mark, turned her head and looked straight ahead, then told the driver the location of the store.
"Teacher." The assistant looked at the expression on Mark's face, "Do you need me to order flowers?"
"No, that's not necessary." Mark shook his head. "This Miss Hua Jin is a lady who deserves respect."
"I understand." The assistant stopped talking.
Back at the store, Hua Jin threw her bag onto the sofa and said, "Tangyuan, where are the instant noodles in the store?"
"What's wrong with you?" Tan Yuan took out a box of instant noodles from the cupboard and threw it to Hua Jin, "Here, it's not expired yet."
"Thank you, dear. You're my savior." Hua Jin opened the lid of the instant noodle bucket and tore the seasoning packet while saying, "Hurry up and turn on the TV. There's a replay of my TV show at noon today."
"It's already two o'clock in the afternoon." Tan Yuan turned on the TV. "Where can they replay it? But my mom took a few photos of the TV. I'll ask her to send you a few when I get home tonight."
"I know Aunt Gao loves me the most." Hua Jin filled the instant noodle bucket with boiling water and stared at the TV for several times. Sure enough, the show had ended. She felt a little regretful. It was a pity that the store did not have an Internet TV installed. Otherwise, she could replay it and go to Tan Yuan's house to watch it in the evening.
"Is Mr. Mark so stingy that he invited you to work with him but didn't even treat you to lunch?" Tan Yuan switched to a plate of fragrant incense with a stronger smell and lit it. "I have two bags of dried tofu in my bag. I'll get them for you."
"Yes, I just didn't eat enough." Hua Jin smiled bitterly, "In order not to be impolite when talking to people this morning, I drank some tasteless porridge. I was already hungry. I am the heir of Shu embroidery. In front of outsiders, I must maintain my intellectual and elegant side."
"You eat more than a pig and you still want to say you are intelligent and elegant." Tan Yuan handed her the dried tofu. "How about I order some takeout for you?"
"No, I filled my stomach at lunch, so a bucket of instant noodles will be enough for me now."
Just as the instant noodles were cooked and Hua Jin was about to eat them with a plastic fork, she suddenly heard a scream at the door: "Master Hua Xiu, how can you eat this?"
Hua Jin, holding a plastic fork in her right hand and pinching dried tofu in her left hand, looked at the person at the door blankly. What did she eat? Wasn't it just a bucket of instant noodles?
Yang Shao walked in quickly and said with a sad face, "I'll pay you the balance first, and you can take your time embroidering the screen. There's no rush."
"No, wait..."
Watching Yang Shao transfer money with his mobile phone in one go, Hua Jin bit a plastic fork and looked at the transfer notification on the phone. After a long while, he said, "Mr. Yang, what brings you here today?"
"Oh." Yang Shao patted his head and placed an invitation card with the word "longevity" printed on it in front of Hua Jin. "My grandmother heard that I ordered an embroidered screen from you, so she wanted to invite you to attend her birthday party. I'm here to run errands and deliver the invitation card."
Hua Jin wiped her hands with a tissue, picked up the invitation and opened it: "Thank you for your appreciation, old lady. I will definitely come then."
Yang Shao smiled when he heard this: "That's great, thank you, flower embroidery master."
"The old lady lives a long life. It is my blessing to be able to attend her birthday party." Hua Jin put away the invitation and said, "Mr. Yang, you are too polite." Although the aesthetic taste of the pineapple spirit is a bit non-mainstream, he is very filial to his elders.
"No, no." Yang Shao scratched his head and smiled, then looked down at the instant noodles in front of Hua Jin, "Master Hua Xiu, you must take good care of yourself and make sure you get enough nutrition."
"Okay." Hua Jin laughed. At this moment, in Yang Shao's eyes, she was probably like winter cabbage.
"Then I'm leaving." Yang Shao was afraid that if he said too much, Hua Jin would be embarrassed, so he had to leave the embroidery shop without looking back. Tan Yuan looked at his back and said to Hua Jin, "This rich second generation has a good heart."
"You're quite generous." Hua Jin opened her phone and took a look at the transfer amount. She is such a lovely pineapple spirit.
"I admire them and envy them..."
Looking at the smiling Hua Jin on TV, Pei Yan leaned back on the sofa, waited for the show to end, and replayed it again.
Hua Jin on the TV screen has a gentle and tolerant smile, and her eyes are like a clear lake, beautiful and quiet. She said she came from a poor village and that she envied a good family, so what was her family like?
She had excellent grades but no chance to go to college, and she had a leg injury at a young age. She was just an ordinary person, but she wanted more people to like Shu embroidery. In order to embroider a piece well, she even traveled far away to ask questions and take notes.
And that mouth that can make people angry to death...
He took out his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Grandpa Zhang, how have you been lately?"
"I have a friend who has an old leg injury. It hurts easily on rainy days. Can you help her take a look?"
"Okay, I will definitely have a drink with you then."
After hanging up the phone, Pei Yan looked at the exquisite embroidery in the camera and leaned back on the sofa, thinking that he was just meddling in other people's business again and making a contribution to the traditional industry.
The cell phone rang, he pressed the answer button, and Yang Shao's loud voice came out from the receiver.
"Brother Pei, I'm here to play with you, are you home?"
"Not here." Pei Yan refused mercilessly.
"I'm telling you, the flower embroiderer has a miserable life."
"What's wrong with her?" Pei Yan frowned and sat up straight.
"She can't even afford to eat. It's really pitiful to work in this industry."
The author has something to say: Yang Shao: Let me live a carefree life with false military intelligence as my companion~
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