Chapter 113: 90: Spring Water People's Home Chapter 113: Apprenticeship, Inheriting Paper-Cutting Skills

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Cut."

Director Du looked at the camera and called a pause: "The explanation is too monotonous; it would be better to film some footage of the actual learning process, which would be more attractive..."

"Then let's film it."

The assistant director responded enthusiastically: "I'll go tell the vendor to cooperate."

"Give him a pack of cigarettes."

Director Du instructed carefully: "Don't go empty-handed; it doesn't look good."

"Got it."

The assistant director understood perfectly, took out a pack of Jinan local General Cigarettes from his backpack, and walked over with a smile.

General Cigarettes paved the way, and the Sugar Figure was easily obtained!

The sugar-blower vendor saw the General Cigarettes and beamed with joy, agreeing very readily.

"Xiyu, it's your turn."

The assistant director was smug, raising his eyebrows proudly: "Be quick, learn the craft from the master, and try to blow a Sugar Figure yourself."

"Coming."

Lin Xiyu was very happy to hear she could learn to blow Sugar Figures, and she hurriedly ran over.

The vendor taught on the spot, enjoying the feeling of taking on an apprentice.

Lin Xiyu did not disappoint; she was quick-witted, learned at once, and before long, she actually blew out a Sugar Figure.

"Is this a pig?"

"Is it a dog?"

"A monkey."

"A creature of four unlike parts."

"A monster."

Although it looked a bit ugly and was mocked by the program group's staff, she was still very happy, holding up her masterpiece and laughing happily without stopping.

"Cut."

Director Du raised his hand, ending the filming.

"Ah?"

Lin Xiyu stopped laughing, with syrup stuck to her face, looking completely bewildered: "It's over already? I haven't even started making it properly yet."

"That's exactly the effect we want."

Cameraman showed a mouthful of white teeth and smiled black-belliedly: "Footage filmed without their knowledge is more real and more attractive."

"You're too mean; I'm going on strike!"

As expected, another River East Lion's Roar of anger and frustration rang out on Qu Shui Ting Street.

"Hahaha."

The program group's staff rarely saw her look like a puffed-up little cat, and they all grinned, laughing very happily.

—

Director Du had a backache and had to return to the Hospital to recuperate; the afternoon filming heavy responsibility fell on the assistant director's shoulders.

The assistant director was unusually serious, without his former frivolous smile, leading the team to Yongquan Hutong No. 2 Courtyard to visit the handicraftsman of old Jinan, the legendary paper-cutting master, Hu Ping, Ms. Hu.

Hu Ping is 76 years old this year, a kind and amiable old lady with white hair.

Upon learning the program group's purpose, the Old Man gladly accepted the interview and performed paper-cutting skills on the spot.

In her hands, the Scissors seemed to come alive, wandering freely on the paper.

Dragons and phoenixes, peonies, blessings, emoluments, longevity, and happiness, etc., one complex and exquisite pattern symbolizing happiness and prosperity after another took shape under her hands.

Every time she unfolded the folded paper, it drew neat and uniform exclamations of admiration.

—

"Paper-cutting is one of China's oldest folk arts; as a hollow-out art, it gives people a visual artistic enjoyment of transparency and carries rich historical and cultural connotations."

"The origin of paper-cutting can be traced back to the pre-Qin period; at that time, people used thin sheet materials such as gold foil, leather, and leaves to hollow out and carve patterns for decoration or religious forms."

"Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu once wrote such a line in 'Peng Ya Xing': 'Warm soup washes my feet, paper-cutting summons my soul.'"

"Through this poem, we can see that paper-cutting was already widespread in religious activities during the Tang Dynasty, and many folk stories of paper-cutting soul-summoning are widely circulated."

"Nowadays, paper-cutting, as a symbol of celebration, is widely loved by the common people; during festivals, a pair of big red window flowers are pasted on the Window, symbolizing harmony and happiness, which is the common people's sincere expectation for a better future life."

—

"Xiyu, don't just talk; do more hands-on work and learn paper-cutting from Hu Nainai."

The assistant director was cunning; for the sake of filming effect, taking advantage of the end of the explanation, he turned his attention to Lin Xiyu again.

"I'm clumsy and can't cut these exquisite things; let's all do it together."

Lin Xiyu also learned to be clever this time, pulling all the program group staff to be her backup.

If she were to embarrass herself, everyone would embarrass themselves together; anyway, she had already been tricked by Director Du once, and a few more times didn't matter.

"Fine, everyone go learn, everyone go, learning together is lively, and the filmed effect will be better."

These words exactly hit the assistant director's sweet spot; he had been planning to coax Guben and his colleagues into taking part, but Lin Xiyu had automatically delivered herself to his door.

"We want to learn too?"

The Program Group, aside from Li Yan, were all big men; having them carry equipment was fine, but asking them to cut paper flowers was like forcing ducks onto a perch.

"I've never cut window flowers before; I only know how to use scissors to trim my nails."

"I've scraped fish scales and gutted fish."

"You make it sound so gory and blood-curdling; I'm gentler than you—I can shave a beard."

—

"Did none of you take arts and crafts class when you were kids?"

The assistant director didn't like what he heard; he glared with both eyes and flew into a rage.

He didn't see the camera lens flash, aimed right at his face.

"Why don't you do it yourself? Give us a demonstration?"

A staff member stifled a laugh and handed him the scissors.

"Fine, I'll do it—move aside, don't stand here in the way......."

The assistant director fell for it, snatched the scissors, and shoved the person aside.

That staff member exchanged a knowing glance with Cameraman, slipped away quickly, and withdrew from the camera range.

—

"Come, everyone follow me; first we fold the paper, folding it into a triangular shape......"

Hu Nainai smiled kindly and didn't take the little incident of switching people to heart.

The crowd of idlers followed suit and did as told.

"All folded? Come, let's start cutting."

Hu Nainai was very patient, deliberately slowing her movements so everyone could see clearly.

Lin Xiyu and the others widened their eyes, imitating her movements by drawing a gourd to make a gourd, and began cutting paper.

"Hey, these scissors aren't working well......"

Not long after cutting, another male staff member lost heart: "You make it look so easy, but in my hands it's like it's deformed; what I cut comes out all crooked, like worms chewed it."

"A clumsy hand shouldn't blame the scissors."

The assistant director glared at him displeased, completely forgetting they were filming.

"I'm leaving first; you all keep at it."

That staff member chuckled, took the chance to slip away, put down the scissors, and rolled off quickly.

The one left under the assistant director's Death Stare trembled in fright and pricked his own hand.

"Ouch, it's bleeding."

Li Yan gasped, her face changing color.

"The wound isn't big; no stitches needed."

"Rinse it with water, put on a Band-Aid."

The room was in an uproar, and finally this male staff member was honorably injured and withdrew from the filming site.

Cameraman secretly chuckled, greatly admiring the three colleagues' tripod coordination.

Such a funny blooper was far more exciting than cutting window flowers; Director Du would surely be satisfied with it.

—

To attract the audience, the assistant director came up with an original idea, proposing that the remaining four people—namely Lin Xiyu, Li Yan, Guben, and himself—learn paper-cutting in a competition-elimination format.

Hu Nainai served as judge; the window flower patterns went from simple to complex, one round after another, and the last person remaining would be today's winner.

With competition, Lin Xiyu perked up, secretly scheming, wanting to show off in front of Guben, and use this opportunity to beat him once.

Girls are dexterous and quick-witted; learning paper-cutting came easily to her.

As expected, the assistant director was eliminated in the first round, and Guben also regretfully exited in the second round.

Lin Xiyu won by speed, narrowly defeating Li Yan, and became the final winner.

"Oh yeah, I won."

She happily hugged Hu Nainai and spun around once; Hu Nainai was made dizzy by her spinning, laughing and crying at the same time.

"Xiyu, stop spinning......"

Guben found it amusing, reached out and grabbed her: "Hu Nainai is old; she can't take the tossing."

"Hehe."

Lin Xiyu realized too late, embarrassedly letting go of her hand.

"It's fine; Grandma isn't so old she can't walk."

Hu Nainai smiled it off, her gaze toward Lin Xiyu full of kindness.

"Hu Nainai......"

Li Yan had a thought and seized the chance to interview: "You cut paper so well; have you thought about taking an apprentice to pass down this craft?"

"I've thought about it; how could I not have thought about it......"

Hu Nainai stopped smiling, showing a hint of regret: "Too bad none of my children take after me—they're terribly stupid, can't be taught no matter what, and the grandchildren are even worse. Nowadays young people all want to go out and work, make big money, and look down on this craft of paper-cutting. In a few more years, when we old folks die, these old crafts will be lost."

"What a pity to lose them......"

Li Yan sighed dejectedly: "These folk cultures are treasures of our country; they should be strongly supported."

"That's absolutely right."

The assistant director's eyes lit up, quickly keeping up with the rhythm: "The purpose of filming the Quan Shui Ren Jia Series is to promote folk culture, let our old craftsmen get the respect they deserve, and pass down these unique skills."

Hu Nainai looked expectant: "That would be great if it could really happen."

"Hu Nainai, you want to take an apprentice; do you think she's suitable?"

Guben deliberately tried to make Hu Nainai happy, gave a push from behind, and pushed Lin Xiyu in front of her.

"Ah, me?"

Lin Xiyu hadn't expected him to suddenly pull something like this, and she was genuinely quite startled.

"Fine, why wouldn't it be?"

Hu Nainai was indeed very pleased: "As long as Xiyu is willing to learn, Grandma will teach you everything she knows, passing on all her cutting techniques."

"Grandma agreed."

Guben smiled black-belliedly, not giving her a chance to refuse: "Hurry up and change how you address her, call her Master, and offer tea to Master."

"Really want to learn?"

Lin Xiyu laughed and cried at the same time.

"Aren't you determined to beat me?"

Guben continued black-belliedly: "I'm giving you an opportunity, why don't you hurry up and seize it? In this lifetime, you probably only have this craft that gives you a chance to beat me."

Lin Xiyu: "......."

Could this guy possibly be a parasitic worm in her stomach?

He even saw through this?!

—

"Taking on a disciple is great! I have a good idea......."

The assistant director wanted to show himself and rushed to speak: "Paper-cutting is a treasure of our country and must be passed down. Xiyu is the Quancheng Tourism Ambassador, so she should set an example and promote folk culture."

"As for the disciple, there's only her, which is truly too few. We can take advantage of the broadcast of the Quan Shui Ren Jia series to promote it heavily, letting teenagers who truly love paper-cutting come to visit and learn, and let Hu Nainai personally choose the disciple she likes."

—

"I think it works!"

Li Yan cooperated with him tacitly and gave very strong support.

"If everyone comes to the house, won't it be too crowded?"

Guben slightly furrowed his sword-like brows: "Hu Nainai's small courtyard isn't big, and it's not just her household; strangers often come in, fearing someone might object and affect neighborhood relations."

"Why not set the location for visiting and learning at the Neighborhood Committee?"

The assistant director faced the camera, straightened his spine, and spoke righteously: "Hu Nainai taking on a disciple is a major matter. For the sake of passing down folk culture, surely the Neighborhood Committee won't refuse."

"After the interview ends, let's go to the Neighborhood Committee first."

Li Yan gave her suggestion: "Let's tell them about this first, see their attitude, and then decide; it's not too late."

"Okay."

The assistant director stood with his hands behind his back and nodded very seriously.

He had the director's manner down perfectly.

"We're causing you trouble."

Hu Nainai's eyes showed gratitude.

"No trouble."

The assistant director put on his acting persona and continued his performance: "The original intention of filming our Quan Shui Ren Jia promotional video was to promote our old Jinan's folk culture. Being able to do something practical for veteran craftsmen like you is our honor."

"Well said!"

Li Yan led the applause..

"These few words from the assistant director really make people look at him with new eyes."

Other staff members also gave very strong support.

"His temperament is nailed perfectly."

"At a glance, he's formally trained; he didn't hang out with Director Du for nothing. His mind is clever, and he's good at handling things......"

"Flattery and brown-nosing skills are first-class......"

The assistant director's old face turned red, and he was anxious and angry: "Who said that last sentence? Come out, I guarantee I won't beat you to death."

"Hahaha."

Hu Nainai found it interesting, and the corners of her eyes crinkled with laughter.

—

The Quan Shui Ren Jia series was very popular, and the Neighborhood Committee was also willing to cooperate with the Program Group's filming.

Hu Nainai's taking on of disciples went very smoothly; there were many children who loved paper-cutting, and after seeing the program, people came to visit her home one after another.

The Neighborhood Committee stepped in to coordinate, and every weekend they would arrange an exhibition hall at the Youth Palace as an activity room for the children to learn paper-cutting.

Hu Nainai selected ten of the most talented children from among them and personally taught them the craft.

Lin Xiyu also hung the empty title of eldest disciple, occasionally going to the Youth Palace to make an appearance and have close interactions with her junior brothers and junior sisters.

After the folk culture filming was completed, the series' filming location shifted from the city to the countryside, changing to exploring Jinan's Seventy-Two Famous Springs.

The famous springs recorded in history are distributed across various townships of Jinan, especially dense in the Southern Mountain Area.

Lin Xiyu followed the Program Group to shoot on location, sitting in a car every day wandering around mountain gullies, from morning until sunset, not returning home all day.

Her female cousin was not idle either; Ding Sheng Decoration officially opened for business, and Lin Xiyu serving as the company image spokesperson's promotional brochure had significant results.

Riding the east wind of the Quan Shui Ren Jia special program, the number of customers coming by reputation increased day by day.

Her female cousin relied on her silver tongue, confusing the customers, achieving brilliant results, signing many orders, and just the commission reached over a thousand yuan in one month.

Liu Ye was so happy he couldn't close his mouth, and specially wrapped a big red envelope of six hundred yuan to give to Lin Xiyu, treating it as a gift for the opening.