Chapter 89: Taken Aback! Recognition of Status and Identity!

Chapter 89: Taken Aback! Recognition of Status and Identity!

Zhao Han felt that Mr. Zhang still hadn't realized how dire the situation was, and he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Not far away, Wang Yu was still trying to persuade Lin Haida, but it was clearly not going well.

Zhao Han decided to step in and talk to Lin Haida himself: "Master Lin, you know that the Bamboo Culture Park is just getting started. You can't leave now. At the very least, you should have some sense of duty. If it weren't for our county reaching out to you, you wouldn't have had this opportunity to become famous!"

This made Lin Haida feel a bit embarrassed.

However, Lin Qing, who had a fiery temper, retorted harshly: "Leader, don't try to pressure my dad with this. You only approached him because of his skills. Now you're saying such nice things!"

"You Lin family's skills are nothing special," Old Guo interjected sarcastically. "Back then, your family learned these skills from our Guo family. You only learned the skills but not how to be a decent person."

"Old man, why do you always show up?" Lin Qing had long been annoyed by Old Guo. "Just because you learned 1+1, does that mean 1+1 belongs to your family? If you're so full, go find a toilet to squat in."

Old Guo wasn't good at arguing and immediately turned red, not knowing how to respond.

Zhao Han frowned deeply.

He could tell that Lin Haida could be persuaded, but his daughter was the one inciting the trouble.

Lin Qing had already taken out her phone and pointed it at Zhao Han. "Everyone, look. My dad doesn't want to work at Linyuan Farm anymore, but they're trying to force him to stay. They clearly just want to make money off my dad's skills, to drain him dry."

"How can you say such things?" Wang Yu was unhappy when he heard this and wanted to step forward.

Zhao Han immediately stopped him.

In today's society, public opinion can be terrifying.

With her phone out, they couldn't say much, or it might end up online and cause trouble, possibly even making things worse.

Now, many unreasonable people would take out their phones to film and report first, thinking that whoever had the phone had the right, and people online would support them.

Now, they couldn't even try to persuade them.

Lin Qing, seeing this, proudly led Lin Haida out. "Dad, let's go home!"

She felt a bit smug as she looked at Zhao Han and the others.

She had wanted to be an internet celebrity before, though she hadn't achieved much. But she had studied a lot about the internet, and this move with the phone was indeed effective.

They were afraid of this.

Once they left the Bamboo Culture Park, she turned to Lin Haida. "Dad, I've already set up the shop and prepared the tools. We can start our live stream tonight."

The past two days at the Bamboo Culture Park had been surprisingly effective, bringing in a lot of traffic.

She felt that her strategy had been right. Her father could definitely become an internet celebrity, and she could learn the bamboo craft skills by being in the background, eventually becoming a new bamboo craft influencer.

That way, she would indirectly achieve her dream of becoming a celebrity.

"Let's do it then!" Lin Haida had no other choice. He couldn't face going back to the Bamboo Culture Park, so he decided to focus on his own business and help promote the park as a way of repaying them in the future.

Zhao Han and Wang Yu, the tourism officials, looked disheartened as they watched Lin Haida and his daughter leave.

The Bamboo Culture Park was supposed to be their biggest achievement for the year, but it had all fallen apart because of human emotions.

Just then, Zhang Lin rode his old scooter into the Bamboo Culture Park.

While he didn't care about losing a bamboo craft master, since the tourism bureau director Zhao Han was involved, he felt he should take a look.

When Zhao Han saw Zhang Lin, he hurriedly approached, anxious. "Mr. Zhang, Lin Haida is determined to leave. If he becomes an internet celebrity, it will create unrest. What are we going to do?"

"Director Zhao, it's a small matter, don't worry!" Zhang Lin reassured him with a smile.

Zhao Han sighed. "With him gone, how can I not be worried?"

Zhang Lin asked, "Director Zhao, do you think the Bamboo Culture Park relies solely on the skills of the artisans? Do you think the tools, stoves, and kilns I spent so much money on are just for show?"

"An artisan must have the right tools to do the job well. The skills of the bamboo craft masters are one aspect, but the tools and facilities I invested in are another. These were all specially designed and built by experts."

"Most importantly, the atmosphere. The Bamboo Culture Park creates an atmosphere that makes the masters feel integrated, changing their mindset and the quality of their work."

"The mindset, state of mind, and insight in art are the most important... forget it, you wouldn't understand."

He intentionally spoke a bit louder, making sure the surrounding bamboo craft masters could hear.

Zhao Han understood the points about tools and facilities, but the part about mindset was too abstract for him to grasp.

Naturally, it was normal not to understand. If he did, he would have already created such a Bamboo Culture Park himself.

However, the bamboo craft masters caught on.

Because they could relate to it.

Old Guo quickly acknowledged, "No wonder when I tried to make a bamboo craft at home, the tools felt awkward, and I couldn't even get into the right mindset!"

Several other bamboo craft masters nodded in agreement.

"Same here, now I understand!"

"Indeed, I keep thinking about the Bamboo Culture Park. I can't wait to come to work here!"

"Then Lin Haida is in for a rough time!"

He can no longer produce such exquisite bamboo crafts as those in the Bamboo Culture Park!

"..."

As the masters spoke, Zhao Han began to understand and felt reassured. "So, Lin Haida can't make such exquisite bamboo crafts anymore?"

"Not even as good as Master Zhao," Zhang Lin nodded.

Zhao Han trusted Zhang Lin, but he still pulled him aside and said privately, "Mr. Zhang, we can't let Lin Haida get his way with this. Otherwise, it will be hard to manage the people in the future."

Zhang Lin understood Zhao Han's concern and smiled. "That's easy. He wants to live-stream and become an internet celebrity. When he goes live, we can have one of our masters in the Bamboo Culture Park do the same. We'll arrange a few internet trolls to stir up the crowd and recreate the scenario with Master Zhao. The farm's operations team will support this!"

Given that Lin Haida had the idea to become an internet celebrity, it was possible that others might follow suit in the future, driven by the allure of fame and profit.

Instead of letting that happen, it would be better for the Bamboo Culture Park to cultivate one or a few bamboo craft internet celebrities of their own, sign them to the farm, and keep them under control.

With this in mind, he called Lin Muxue.

As soon as the call connected, Lin Muxue's voice came through. "Mr. Zhang, I was just about to call you to report something. The Bamboo Culture Park has been open for a few days now, and things are going very well. I think it's necessary to cultivate one or two bamboo craft internet celebrities here to maintain our reputation and popularity."

"I've done some research, and Lin Haida is a good candidate. He appeared in the previous live-stream and has already gained some recognition among the Liyuan Farm audience, making it easier to promote him."

Zhang Lin hadn't expected Lin Muxue to have already thought of this and have a plan to promote Lin Haida.

Unfortunately, it was too late for that.

"Senior Lin, forget about Lin Haida. He's already resigned," Zhang Lin explained the situation at the Bamboo Culture Park to Lin Muxue.

"What? Is he taking the idea of being an internet celebrity too lightly? Can he handle the internet?" Lin Muxue was clearly surprised.

This was the first time she had seen someone so delusional, getting ahead of themselves before they had even made a name.

Zhang Lin instructed, "Senior Lin, don't worry about him. You should come to the Bamboo Culture Park. The bamboo craft masters are still here, and we can get this done."

"Alright, I'll be right over!" Lin Muxue replied.

After finishing his conversation with Zhang Lin, Zhao Han walked straight over to the bamboo craft masters. He approached Old Master Guo and asked, "Master Guo, you said Lin Haida's skills were learned from your family, right?"

"Of course!" Old Master Guo said proudly. "Not just Lin Haida's family, many of the masters here learned from my family. My grandfather had over a dozen apprentices!"

"Alright, then you're the one. Come with me to see Mr. Zhang!" Zhao Han led Old Master Guo to Zhang Lin.

Lin Qing was unaware of all this.

She had no knowledge of bamboo crafts.

Lin Haida was also unaware. Over the past two days, he had no interest in studying bamboo crafts after work. Instead, he was learning how to be an internet celebrity from his daughter and hadn't even tried making any bamboo crafts at home.

When they returned home, Lin Qing prepared a sumptuous meal to reward her father.

After a good meal, she helped her father change into a traditional Tang suit.

This was her idea.

To carry on the craft, one must look the part. Wearing a Tang suit would help with that.

Then, Lin Haida was taken to a shop on Layoff Street.

This shop was originally where Lin Qing bought clothes, but now it was set up with bamboo craft tools.

Soon, Lin Haida went live, and a lot of people tuned in, thanks to the high popularity of Liyuan Farm.

"That's Master Lin!"

"Didn't expect Master Lin to go live in the evening!"

"Rare to see him do this!"

"..."

Seeing this, Lin Qing wanted her father to say something, but Lin Haida was stunned.

He felt something was off.

In the Bamboo Culture Park, whenever he picked up his tools to make bamboo crafts, he had a special feeling that made him work with great enthusiasm and smoothness.

But now, holding the tools in his hands, he felt at a loss.

Seeing her father struggle, Lin Qing quickly said, "Welcome to my father's live stream! My father isn't good with words, but as a special treat for the first live stream, the top three supporters will receive a free bamboo craft."

This was a clever move. While the gifts were free, becoming the top supporter would require tipping.

However, Lin Haida didn't hear what his daughter was saying. As he started working, his expression grew worse because he couldn't find that special feeling. He had no idea what was wrong.

Meanwhile, at Liyuan Farm, a live stream was also underway.

It wasn't unusual for Liyuan Farm to go live.

They had done live streams to support farmers before.

But this time, viewers saw an old man working with bamboo. The title of the stream revealed that it was a bamboo craft promotion, not a sales pitch. All the bamboo crafts made by the master would be given away to lucky viewers.

This was a grand gesture.

Combined with the popularity of Liyuan Farm, the number of viewers in the live stream quickly increased.

Old Guo was a bit nervous the first time he faced the camera, but he quickly got into the swing of things, starting to craft bamboo products. He had a bone to pick with the Lin family, so he was determined to put on a good show tonight.

As time went on, Old Guo's bamboo products became more and more refined, growing increasingly beautiful.

On the other side, however, Lin Haida's expression grew increasingly grim. His bamboo products, which were supposed to be nearing completion, looked far less refined than expected.

Finally, he finished a bamboo product, but it was nothing like what he had envisioned. Although it was not ordinary and showed some skill, it fell short of the level of craftsmanship he was known for, even lagging behind Master Zhao.

The live stream viewers noticed immediately:

"Master Lin's work tonight is off!"

"Yeah, it's definitely not right!"

"..."

Lin Qing also noticed, and her expression soured. She was frustrated, never expecting her father to mess up on the very first live stream. How could they continue from here?

But she tried to salvage the situation: "Everyone, don't worry. This is just the start. The first piece is always about warming up. Dad, hurry up and start the second one to show everyone your true skills."

Her words carried a hint of urgency.

Lin Haida looked at his daughter, wanting to say something but too afraid to speak during the live stream, fearing he might upset her. He realized he didn't have the ability anymore.

It was just completely off.

But with his daughter's urging, he had no choice but to push through and start the second bamboo product. When it was finally completed, it still lacked the refinement of his earlier work, as if he had run out of talent.

"Dad, what are you doing?" Lin Qing whispered, thinking her father was doing this on purpose.

But when she saw the comments in the live stream, she was stunned.

"Master Lin's skills are off. Everyone, check out the live stream from Liyuan Farm. The master there is making some truly beautiful bamboo products!"

"Master Guo even mentioned that the reason his work is so beautiful in the Bamboo Culture Park is because of the environment."

"Yes, he said he would reveal the secret."

"..."

These comments left her bewildered. She instinctively searched for the Linyuan Farm live stream on her phone and saw the old man she had scolded earlier, crafting a bamboo product that was almost finished and incredibly beautiful, just like her father's earlier work.

At that moment, someone in the live stream asked:

"Master Guo, Master Lin's live stream tonight shows his bamboo products are really off. Why is that? Didn't you say there was a reason?"

"Indeed, why is that? You mentioned there was a reason."

"..."

Old Guo smiled and said, "Crafting bamboo products involves not only skill but also the tools and equipment. The tools in the Bamboo Culture Park are custom-designed and expensive, and the facilities are top-notch. Using these tools naturally makes the work easier and more efficient!"

"Without these, even the best skills can only go so far. It's like Yang Guo using a heavy black iron sword versus a simple wooden sword. The effectiveness is vastly different. Most importantly, the Bamboo Culture Park has the right atmosphere."

"Crafting and art are the same; the mindset is crucial. Being overly eager for quick success and profit can ruin the work. This is why many directors and artists produce inferior work after achieving fame and fortune."

"Some people, once they taste a bit of success, forget their place!"

This comment was blunt and the live stream viewers immediately understood what was happening. Master Lin, without the Bamboo Culture Park, simply couldn't perform as well.

Lin Qing was dumbfounded. She had no idea about this situation and instinctively turned off the live stream, confronting her father: "Dad, why didn't you tell me you couldn't make such beautiful bamboo products outside the Bamboo Culture Park?"

Lin Haida felt wronged by the question.

He didn't know that himself.

Lin Qing, however, was in a panic. She had finally found a way to rely on her father, and quickly said, "Dad, didn't those people try to keep you there earlier? Go back and tell them you want to return to work. Remember to admit you were wrong!"

Clearly, after understanding the situation, she realized it was crucial to secure her father's job at the Bamboo Culture Park, earning 30,000 a month, which would help her a lot, better than earning nothing.

"But what face will I have left?" Lin Haida frowned.

"Do you want your face or your daughter?" Lin Qing demanded.

Lin Haida, hearing this, reluctantly took out his phone and dialed, but moments later, his face turned pale. "They said they don't need anyone anymore."

"How can that be? Didn't many tourists couldn't buy anything?" Lin Qing blurted out.

Meanwhile, Zhang Lin received a call from Zhao Han.

As soon as the call connected, he heard Zhao Han's laughter: "Boss Zhang, did you not watch the live stream tonight? Or are you just that confident? I was so worried about this, but I really shouldn't have been!"

"Director Zhao, don't take it personally. It's not worth getting upset over a small fry. He's probably crying now," Zhang Lin laughed.

He had known the outcome all along.

Zhao Han quickly added, "Am I the type to hold a grudge against a small fry? I'm calling to share some good news. There's a business conference in the county the day after tomorrow, and County Chief Liu has specifically instructed to invite you, Boss Zhang."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end