I was chased by my sickly junior brother who had two lives

Chen Jia and Chen Jue, who shine brightly on the Beijing business stage, use their papermaking industry as their cornerstone to continue exploring the diversified development of paper products.

This time, they will focus on cardboard gift boxes, colored paper decorations and paper toys, striving to open up a broader world in the application of paper products and give new vitality to paper with creativity and ingenuity.

In the early morning, Chen Jue, dressed in a blue-gray gown, hurried into the backyard workshop of "Jinxiuxuan". At this time, Chen Jia was already in the workshop, contemplating some paper samples.

She was wearing a light blue silk dress today, with a few strands of silver silk embroidered on it, just like the dewdrops sparkling in the morning mist, fresh and elegant.

"Sister, I have thought about it for a long time and I think if we can make some achievements in cardboard gift boxes, colored paper decorations and paper toys, our papermaking industry will definitely be able to move to a higher level."

"Xiaojue, your idea is very much to my liking. Cardboard gift boxes can be used for all kinds of gift packaging and have huge market potential; colored paper decorations can add brilliant colors to festivals and celebrations; paper toys can bring joy to children and have a wide audience. However, the production processes of these three require careful study."

Chen Jue nodded and started talking about the production of cardboard gift boxes: "Sister, for cardboard gift boxes, I think material selection is the key first step. You need to choose cardboard with a tough texture and moderate thickness, so as to ensure the stability and load-bearing capacity of the gift box."

Chen Jia thought for a moment and added: "In terms of cutting, the size must be accurate. We can first design a variety of gift box styles and specifications to meet the needs of different gifts. For example, there are small and exquisite jewelry boxes, as well as large and spacious cake boxes."

Chen Jue went on to say: "After cutting, the next step is splicing and assembly. This requires the craftsmen to be skilled and use appropriate adhesives to ensure that every joint is tight and firm, and the overall lines of the gift box are smooth and beautiful."

An experienced old craftsman said, "Sir, Miss, the amount of adhesive used and the location of application are extremely important. Too much may leak out and affect the appearance of the gift box; too little will make the joints unstable. I suggest you test it on a small piece of cardboard first to determine the best amount and application method."

Chen Jue nodded in approval: "The master is right. After the gift box is initially formed, it still needs surface treatment. It can be made by pasting exquisite patterned paper, or using hot stamping, embossing and other processes to enhance the texture and grade of the gift box."

Chen Jia said: "We can create a gift box model room to display cardboard gift boxes of different styles and uses one by one, so that customers can intuitively choose the right gift box."

After discussing the cardboard gift boxes, the topic turned to colored paper decorations.

Chen Jue picked up a piece of plain paper and gestured, saying, "The key to this colored paper decoration is the design of color and pattern. We can first mix bright and rich pigments, and use methods such as dipping, dyeing, and painting to color the paper."

A craftsman who is good at painting said: "Sir, when drawing patterns, we can combine traditional auspicious patterns, such as dragons and phoenixes, flowers, birds, fish and insects, etc., and we can also incorporate some fashionable and novel elements, such as popular floral patterns and geometric patterns. Drawing techniques can use hand-painting, woodblock printing or hollowing techniques to make the colored paper more artistic."

Chen Jia's eyes lit up: "The hollowing out technique is very good. If we cut the colored paper into various shapes, such as lanterns, window decorations, etc. during festivals, and let candlelight or lights shine through the hollowed-out part in the middle, it will definitely create a beautiful atmosphere."

Chen Jue smiled and said, "Sister, we can also make some large colored paper decorations, such as colored paper flower balls and ribbons for store openings, wedding celebrations and other occasions. Cut the colored paper into long and thin strips, and make flower balls by curling and splicing, or weave them into gorgeous ribbons."

When discussing paper toys, Chen Jue said enthusiastically: "Paper toys have a lot of room for creativity. For example, for paper windmills, we can choose thin and resilient paper, cut it into a specific shape, fix it with bamboo sticks, and add colorful paper tassels. When the breeze blows, it can turn happily."

Chen Jia said: "There are also paper puppets. We can first draw various human or animal images, then cut them out, and connect the joints with strings or small wooden sticks to make the paper puppets movable. Children can use them to act out stories and add fun."

A young craftsman also spoke up: "Sir, we can also make paper puzzles. We draw a complete pattern on cardboard and then divide it into several small pieces. Let the children restore the pattern by piecing them together. This can not only exercise their observation and hands-on abilities, but also be interesting."

Chen Jue clapped his hands and praised: "This is a very good idea. However, the safety of paper toys cannot be ignored. All corners need to be polished smooth to avoid scratching children. The paint should also be non-toxic and harmless to ensure the health of children during play."

After the production direction and preliminary process were determined, the workshop became busy.

In the cardboard gift box making area, craftsmen carefully selected cardboard and cut it according to the designed size. One craftsman said while cutting: "The size of this pastry box should be slightly larger and deep enough to hold various snacks." Another craftsman focused on applying the adhesive, muttering to himself: "Don't apply too much glue, it needs to be even."

At the colored paper decoration production site, painters are carefully mixing pigments and drawing various patterns. "The red color must be bright and pure to reflect the festive atmosphere," said a painter. The paper-cutting craftsmen are skilled, with scissors flying across the paper. Soon, exquisite window decoration patterns appear on the paper.

The paper toy making area was full of laughter. Craftsmen made paper windmills with some children. The children excitedly held the colorful paper tassels and watched the craftsmen assemble the paper windmills and then run and fly them in the wind. "Wow, the paper windmill is spinning, so beautiful!" The children cheered one after another.

Chen Jue and Chen Jia shuttled between various production areas, providing guidance and suggestions from time to time.

"The position of the gold-stamping pattern on this cardboard gift box can be adjusted to make it more centered and beautiful." Chen Jue said to a craftsman.

Chen Jia picked up a hollowed-out colored paper lantern in the colored paper decoration area and said, "The hollowed-out pattern of this lantern can be finer, so the light will be softer."

After a period of hard work, samples of cardboard gift boxes, colored paper decorations and paper toys were completed.

Chen Jue and Chen Jia displayed these samples in the showroom of "Jinxiu Xuan" and invited some merchants, customers and children from Beijing to come and taste them.

A gift shop owner looked at the exquisite cardboard gift boxes and praised them highly: "This gift box is of top quality in terms of both material and craftsmanship. It will definitely enhance the grade and value of gifts when used to wrap them. I want to order a batch of gift boxes of different specifications."

Several women saw the colored paper decorations and expressed their love for them: "This colored paper window decoration is so beautiful. Pasting it on the window instantly creates the atmosphere of the Chinese New Year. And this colored paper flower ball is also very beautiful when hung in the house."

Children were attracted by the paper toys and gathered around the display stand, unwilling to leave. "I want this paper puppet so I can play house with it," said a little girl. "I like this puzzle, it looks interesting," said a little boy excitedly.

Seeing these positive feedbacks, Chen Jue and Chen Jia knew that their another innovative attempt had been successful.

On a quiet evening, the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the courtyard of the workshop. Chen Jue and Chen Jia stood in the courtyard, looking at the craftsmen who looked a little tired but full of a sense of accomplishment after a busy day.

"Sister, looking at these exquisite cardboard gift boxes, gorgeous colored paper decorations and paper toys full of childlike fun, my heart is filled with joy. Our efforts and creativity have added a different touch of color to this world." Chen Jue said with emotion.

Chen Jia smiled and held Chen Jue's hand: "Xiao Jue, although it has been difficult along the way, we have always insisted on innovation and quality. These paper products are not only commodities, but also the embodiment of our love for life and pursuit of beauty. I believe that they will shine in the lives of more people, and our papermaking industry will also move towards a more brilliant future in this continuous innovation."