The embroidery experience class lasts three days. Courses like this basic experience model generally don't systematically teach skills; they mainly offer simple embroidery piece experiences for tourists. The pieces tourists complete themselves can be taken home. Most people embroider simple flowers and grass, turning them into bookmarks, or upgrading them to framed pieces, keychains, etc.
Jian Ran's embroidery was a bit more complex. Using some basic Bai embroidery stitches the instructor had taught, she embroidered a handkerchief with a pattern of fish playing among lotus flowers. Fish symbolize men, lotus women, subtly expressing romantic love. This is a common motif in Bai embroidery.
"Master, look, it's her."
As Jian Ran was finishing up, the embroiderer instructor suddenly brought a few people to her side. She looked up and saw that it was Liu Hongxiu, the inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage Bai embroidery. This embroidery workshop is owned by her, and her introduction hangs on the wall at the entrance.
"Teacher Liu," Jian Ran quickly stood up to greet her.
Liu Hongxiu nodded slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on the embroidery frame in front of Jian Ran. After a long moment, she spoke: "Young lady, judging by your technique, you're an insider, aren't you?"
Jian Ran wasn't surprised at being seen through. It wasn't unusual for an experienced embroidery artisan like her to notice such things easily.
"Good eye, Teacher. I study Beijing embroidery and am currently an apprentice under my master."
Liu Hongxiu hummed softly, murmuring, "So it's Beijing embroidery." Then she added, "But your technique doesn't seem like an ordinary apprentice. You must have studied for quite a few years."
Jian Ran smiled and didn't deny it. In terms of years, she had indeed studied for many years—she started holding a needle when she was about seven or eight, with a gap in the middle, and picked it up again a few years ago.
"Who is your master in Beijing embroidery?" Liu Hongxiu looked at her. "At last year's Intangible Cultural Heritage Exchange Summit, I met several Beijing embroidery inheritors."
Jian Ran nodded. Her master had indeed attended that summit. "My master is Su Jin."
At the name 'Su Jin', Liu Hongxiu's expression showed surprise—clearly she knew the name. Before she could say anything, the embroiderer instructor beside her suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "You already have a master?"
Hearing this, Jian Ran was a bit confused and just let out a puzzled "Ah?"
She had a master. Was there a problem? And what was with that regretful expression on her face?
Liu Hongxiu shot a helpless glance at her own disciple, then looked at Jian Ran. "Don't mind her. Yesterday, this girl rushed to me excitedly, saying she'd found a good seedling. Today she dragged me over, but it turns out the good seedling is already someone else's precious apprentice."
Jian Ran blinked, not expecting this. She looked at the two, unsure what to say.
The embroiderer instructor was actually a young woman in her early twenties. Usually, she could maintain composure during lessons, but in front of her master, she acted much more childlike.
"Master, you're always saying there are no good seedlings to cultivate. I was just trying to help you out," the girl muttered petulantly. Then, as if unwilling to give up, she turned to Jian Ran. "Actually, my master is really skilled. Since you're interested in Bai embroidery, why not consider..."
Liu Hongxiu let out an exasperated laugh. "Enough, don't waste your effort. Her master is the top representative of Beijing embroidery, far more accomplished than your master. You can't poach this one."
Jian Ran found the whole situation both amusing and embarrassing.
"Sorry for the spectacle," Liu Hongxiu said.
Jian Ran shook her head with a smile. "No, it's my honor."
Liu Hongxiu looked at Jian Ran, as if suddenly remembering something. "By the way, are you the youngest disciple of your master?"
Jian Ran was surprised at the sudden question but nodded truthfully. Her master was old and hadn't taken on new disciples in recent years; in fact, her senior sisters had already started taking their own apprentices.
"At last year's summit, when we were all chatting, your master mentioned you," Liu Hongxiu said with a smile.
Jian Ran was a bit surprised. Thinking about how her master usually seemed disappointed in her, she felt a little embarrassed. "Among my master's disciples, I'm probably the one who worries her the most."
But Liu Hongxiu waved her hand. "When your master mentioned you, she was very proud. She said you have a deep research into many regional embroideries."
"I wouldn't call it research; I just enjoy studying these things," Jian Ran said with a laugh.
Liu Hongxiu also smiled and glanced at the embroidery frame in front of Jian Ran. "These basic things aren't suitable for you. I happen to be working on a large piece recently. How about it? Interested in following along?"
"Can I?" Jian Ran's eyes lit up instantly. Being able to study under a master like Liu Hongxiu for a few days was a coveted opportunity.
"Why not?" Liu Hongxiu laughed. "Embroidery culture emphasizes inheritance, but it also needs integration and development. The old rule of keeping secrets within the tradition is long gone."
*
With the plan changed, Jian Ran's original three-day embroidery experience class turned into in-depth study. Such an opportunity was rare, so the outing plans were suspended. Still, she left early and returned late every day, busily enjoying herself.
One day ended a bit early. Jian Ran came out of the room and saw Chu Lulin in the courtyard on the phone, his computer on the stone table beside him. He seemed to be dealing with something tricky—his brows were slightly furrowed, giving him an oddly distant air.
"Tell the teacher for me. My part will be ready tomorrow; it won't delay the progress." Chu Lulin finished speaking into the phone, then turned and spotted Jian Ran. He said a few quick words and hung up.
"Big Sister, why are you out? Anything the matter?" He instinctively checked the time—it was just three in the afternoon.
"Teacher Liu had an interview today, so we finished early," Jian Ran explained. Then she pointed at his phone. "If you have things to do, you don't really need to follow me."
She had said this a few days ago. Since she stayed here almost all day, there was no need for Chu Lulin to tag along. But he said he had nothing to do at the villa anyway and came out with her every day. However, based on what she just saw, it didn't seem like he had nothing to do.
"Don't worry, Big Sister. It's really not a big deal. The school project I was helping with had a temporary issue, but it's already resolved." Chu Lulin explained with a smile, quickly packing his laptop into his backpack.
Seeing him say that, Jian Ran didn't press further, only telling him to take care of his matters if they were important. Studies came first.
Chu Lulin readily agreed. "Okay. If anything comes up, I won't hesitate to let you know."
After leaving the workshop, Jian Ran didn't ask Chu Lulin to call the villa's driver. In the past few days, coming and going, they hadn't had a chance to properly explore the village. Since they had time now, she wanted to look around.
The embroidery workshop was in a village not far from the ancient town, itself a somewhat famous tourist attraction in the area.
The buildings here were mostly rammed earth walls, with stone paths worn by time, ancient trees several hundred years old visible everywhere, and even the water in the roadside stream seemed clear and pure. It felt like everything here was isolated from the rest of the world.
They walked casually, chatting along the way.
"How did you end up working here?" Jian Ran asked offhandedly. She had actually wanted to ask this for a while. Someone like Chu Lulin, who studied in Jing City and whose hometown wasn't here, why would he travel all this way for a summer job?
Chu Lulin paused slightly. "A classmate recommended it." He said the pay was good, and since it was summer break, he wanted to earn some living expenses.
Jian Ran nodded. So that was it. She glanced at Chu Lulin and made a rough judgment. From their time together, she could sense that Chu Lulin's family background probably wasn't poor—or at least hadn't been. How else could a family afford to let him learn horseback riding? He had mentioned earlier that he used to ride often, but after college, he rarely did. At the time, Jian Ran thought it was for personal reasons like hers, but now it seemed more likely due to family circumstances. Combined with him working so hard far from home during summer break, the answer was clear: something had likely happened to his family.
Jian Ran knew a few people whose families had gone bankrupt due to business failures; it wasn't rare. But she admired Chu Lulin. The young man didn't hide behind pride—earning money through his own efforts was nothing to be ashamed of.