Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, Liao Peisheng, 41, and his wife Liu 
Xiaohui, 39, manage a curtain shop in the Luozhuang District of Linyi, 
Shandong. Their claim to fame comes from their participation in the Chinese 
Poetry Competition, earning them the endearing title of the "Curtain Couple."

Engaged daily in the art of curtains, measuring life with a ruler and fabric, 
the couple commutes each morning to their shop on an electric bike. Liao 
installs curtains, while Liu takes charge of tailoring.

"I have a penchant for ancient Chinese poetry and its rhythmic allure," Liu 
shares. "Since our marriage, I find solace in reading classical poetry whenever 
time allows, often encouraging my husband to join me."

The routine nature of crafting curtains necessitates the couple's continual 
presence in the store. To infuse creativity into their work, they inscribe 
poems on paper, placing them near the sewing machine or directly onto the 
curtains. Sometimes, Liu starts a line, and Liao completes it. Occasionally, 
they engage in the poetic game of Feihualing. Nearly every curtain they craft 
comes paired with a carefully selected poem, such as one for curtains adorned 
with peony patterns: "In the season of blooming flowers, only peonies truly 
embody the nation's beauty." Or for those with peach blossom patterns: "A 
cluster of peach blossoms, charming in deep or light red?"

"Through ancient poetry, I connect with the breathtaking landscapes of our 
homeland, the gentle smoke rising from pastoral kitchens, and the spirited 
ideals of literati. Reciting these verses while making curtains makes every day 
feel like a journey through poetic beauty," expresses Liu.

In the curtain shop, poetry seamlessly intertwines with their lives. Liu 
concludes, "Curtain making may be arduous, but poetry transforms the toil into 
sweetness."

Source: Government of Luozhuang District