Story of Li Caiyun, 57
"It was surprising how fast time went. I didn't even think about mahjong. The workshop isn’t loud like the mahjong parlor, but it’s full of life in its own way."
Li Caiyun lives alone in a spacious house in a small rural village in Hunan. Since her family moved to the city, the quiet has become overwhelming. Mahjong was her retreat, a place where the hours passed quickly among friends and the rhythmic snap of tiles. "The house is too quiet without them. Playing mahjong was my way to be around people, to hear some noise and laughter," she says.
Playing mahjong was Li Caiyun's daily ritual. Every morning, she would walk the familiar path to the local mahjong parlor, spending her days there from sunrise to sunset. "It was where I could meet with friends and forget the silence at home," she explains. However, the physical toll of sitting all day became impossible to ignore. Her neck ached, her back was in constant pain, and her children warned her about her rising blood pressure.
Despite the pain, Li Caiyun couldn’t think of giving up mahjong. It was more than a game; it was her way to stay connected with people. “Without mahjong, it would be just me and these walls,” she used to think. Her children worried about her and kept asking her to find something healthier to do.
Things started to change when she heard about Chillfuzz from a mahjong friend. She was curious and needed some extra money, so she decided to try it out. “I felt odd at first in the workshop, but then I started making a felt meadow, and quickly I found myself engaged.” she recalls.
Now, Caiyun enjoys quiet mornings, knowing she will spend her day at Chillfuzz, surrounded by a new group of friends, colorful materials and guided by friendly instructors. Caiyun found herself engrossed in crafting. "It was surprising how fast the time went. I didn't even think about mahjong. I was learning to make small animals out of wool, and it felt good to see something taking shape in my hands," she shares. “The workshop isn’t loud like the mahjong parlor, but it’s full of life in its own way. We talk and laugh as we work. It’s different but very good,” she says.
Her family is happy too. “She seems happier and healthier now. She’s always excited to show us what she’s made.” they say.
Since joining Chillfuzz, the mahjong parlor owner has often asked her, "Why don’t you come to play anymore?" Li Caiyun smiles and says, "I’ve found a job that pays better. Playing mahjong often cost me money, but now I'm earning." Now working full-time at Chillfuzz, she picks up new skills quickly and is good with her hands. Her cheerful nature brightens the room, making the craft sessions lively and enjoyable.
"Playing mahjong was just a way to kill time because I was lonely, and it wasn't great for my health or my wallet. Now, I earn money while doing something I enjoy, and I can chat with my friends as we work," she explains.
