Chapter 245: Can I Do It?

"Because your handcraft is worth this price," Su Ruan said earnestly, "and we want to work with you long‑term. Not just this batch; there will be more later."

Lin Xiaoyu recorded it by taking photos nearby.

A close‑up of Grandma Yang's hands showed them covered in wrinkles and calluses, yet the knuckles were distinct—a hand that had spent a lifetime on needlework.

"Well… I'll give it a try," Grandma Yang finally relented, "but I need to embroider a sample first so you can see if it's acceptable."

"Great, that's wonderful," Su Ruan breathed a sigh of relief. "We'll provide the materials; just tell us whatever you need."

After the agreement, Grandma Yang invited them to lunch. The simple farmhouse dishes were nevertheless very tasty.

"My granddaughter works in the city and keeps urging me to stop, saying it's tiring," Grandma Yang said while eating. "But if I don't do it, my hands itch. I've embroidered all my life; I can't quit."

"How old is your granddaughter?" Su Ruan asked.

"She's twenty‑five, teaching in Kunming," Grandma Yang smiled. "She wants to bring me to live in the city, but I won't go. The city isn't as comfortable as here."

"Handcraft needs inheritance," Lin Xiaoyu said. "Have you ever thought about teaching your granddaughter?"

"She tried when she was little, but couldn't sit still," Grandma Yang shook her head. "Young people today just can't calm their minds."

Su Ruan's mind sparked. "Grandma Yang, if we set up an embroidery class and ask you to teach, would you be willing? It doesn't have to be young people; anyone interested in embroidery can join."

"Teach?" Grandma Yang thought for a moment. "I can teach, but it has to be here. All my tools are here; I can't leave."

"Then we'll hold it here," Su Ruan said. "We can organize interested people to come to the village to learn and experience traditional handcraft."

"That's a great idea!" Lin Xiaoyu exclaimed excitedly. "I can even make a documentary!"

Grandma Yang caught their enthusiasm and smiled. "Fine, as long as someone wants to learn, I'm willing to teach."

In the afternoon, Su Ruan and Lin Xiaoyu visited two other embroiderers in the village.

One was Grandma Yang's cousin, the other her apprentice.

All three agreed to cooperate, each with a focus: Grandma Yang's stitching was the most delicate, suitable for complex patterns; the cousin excelled at color matching; the apprentice was younger and could embrace new ideas.

"That's perfect," Su Ruan told Lin Xiaoyu. "Three embroiderers, three styles—we can create rich layers."

At dusk they lodged at a small inn in the village. The room was simple, yet it offered a view of the distant Snow Mountain.

"Teacher Su, today's harvest was huge," Lin Xiaoyu said while sorting the photos. "Grandma Yang's story, and her hands… I want to make a feature."

"Take good photos, write well," Su Ruan said, standing by the window watching the scenery. "This collaboration is not just for design; it's also for documentation. These handcrafts, these handcraft persons, all deserve to be remembered."

That night, Su Ruan called Jiang Ran.

"Honey, have you arrived?" Jiang Ran's voice came through.

"We've arrived; today went smoothly," Su Ruan briefly reported. "All three embroiderers agreed to cooperate. I also want to organize an embroidery exhibition to spread traditional handcraft."

"That's a good idea," Jiang Ran said. "What support do you need?"

"Not for now; I'll plan in detail when I get back," Su Ruan paused. "How about the kids? Do they miss me?"

"They do; they even mutter about Mom before sleep," Jiang Ran laughed. "I miss you too. Sleeping alone feels odd."

Su Ruan's face flushed slightly: "Just one day…"

"One day feels long enough," Jiang Ran lowered his voice. "Honey, can you video call? I want to see you."

"I can, in a moment," Su Ruan hung up and opened the video call.

Jiang Ran's face appeared on the screen, the background a bedroom at home.

"See? When you're not here, the bed looks empty," he turned the camera toward the large bed.

"Don't tease," Su Ruan laughed. "Since I'm not there, you can claim the whole bed."

"That's not right; I can't sleep without you," Jiang Ran said seriously. "When will you return?"

"The day after tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll go to another village and meet a few more embroiderers."

"Stay safe and call me every day."

"Got it, manager."

The two chatted a while longer before reluctantly hanging up. Su Ruan lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling warm inside.

Though they'd been apart only a day, she truly missed him.

The next day, Su Ruan and Lin Xiaoyu headed to the second village—Yuhu Village.

This village was more remote, the road rough; the vehicle bounced for two hours before arriving.

"This place is truly primitive," Lin Xiaoyu said, looking out the window. "It feels cut off from the world."

The settlement was built at the foot of the mountain, backed by Snow Mountain and facing a lake.

The houses were all stone‑built, giving them a distinctive character.

The embroiderer they sought was named He Xiulan, the village's youngest at just forty.

"He Xiulan?" a villager replied to their inquiry, pointing the way. "Her house is at the top; the one with many embroidered patches hanging at the doorway is hers."

Indeed, at mid‑slope a household had a wooden rack at the doorway laden with multicolored embroidered patches, glittering in the sunlight.

After knocking, the door opened to a Naxi woman in her forties, her skin dark but her smile radiant.

"Who are you?"

"Are you Sister He Xiulan? We're designers from the Chongsu brand," Su Ruan explained.

"Chongsu? I know it!" He Xiulan's eyes lit up. "I've seen your reports! That Rebirth Series is especially great!"

Su Ruan was surprised: "You know us?"

"I know, I know!" He Xiulan warmly ushered them inside. "I saw you on TV. You, designer Su Ruan, are truly impressive."

The interior was uniquely arranged; the walls displayed embroidered works as well as many modern decorations. It was clear the owner was a creative person.

"Sister, these embroidered patches…" Su Ruan said, looking at the colorful pieces at the doorway, "they seem different from the traditional ones."

"They are different," He Xiulan said proudly. "I've improved them. Traditional colors were too dull, so I added bright hues. The patterns also combine Dongba Script with modern designs."

She pulled out a thick sketchbook: "Look, these are all my designs."

Su Ruan flipped through it, growing more delighted. He Xiulan's designs blended traditional charm with a modern feel, featuring bold colors and novel patterns.

"Big sister, have you studied design?"

"I haven't formally studied," He Xiulan shook her head, "but I love drawing, I've loved it since childhood. Later, after marrying here, I learned embroidery from my mother‑in‑law, and I combined drawing with embroidery."

Lin Xiaoyu already raised her camera and was shooting: "Big sister, could you talk about the inspiration behind these designs?"

"Inspiration, huh? It's everywhere," He Xiulan said, pointing out the window, "Look at that mountain, that lake, those clouds. Also the stories of our Naxi Ethnic Group, the legends in the Dongba scriptures."

She picked up an embroidered piece: "This is called the Seven Star Shawl; traditionally it consists of seven discs representing the Big Dipper Seven Stars. But I reshaped it—look, does it look like a flowing river of stars?"

Su Ruan examined closely; indeed, the seven discs had been rearranged and linked with silver thread, truly giving the impression of a flowing star river.

"So beautiful," she said sincerely, "Big sister, would you be willing to collaborate with us? Not just to embroider our designs, we also want to invite you to take part in the design."

"Take part in the design?" He Xiulan was startled for a moment. "Me? Can I do it?"