【推荐1】Wei Guangming lives a double life. By day, he is a garbage man, but by night he is a self-taught oil painter whose work is featured on online art work trading platforms.

There’s a sharp contrast between a worker who collects cardboard boxes and recycles them and a painter who practices his techniques by copying masterpieces and has risen to fame on Douyin, with floods of orders for his paintings.

The 48-year-old has lived in Shaoxing. He never received any form of formal art training, but has liked painting since his childhood.

Most of his paintings are impressionist works. He sold his first painting at an online artwork trading platform for 200 yuan in 2016. Excited about the first successful sale, he posted the sale on Douyin, attracting a large number of followers and more orders. Wei accepts 25—30 orders each month, the most he can handle while still being able to maintain quality. “Painting is not inkjet(喷墨) on a computer. You have to paint each stroke(笔画) carefully. If I take too many orders, I can’t guarantee the quality,” he said. He won’t give up his day job as it provides financial stability, so he can focus on painting in his spare time in his rented room of only 15 square meters.

Wei earns around 4,000—5,000 yuan collecting garbage and another 6,000—7,000 yuan selling paintings each month. Being extremely plain with his needs, he spends only a few hundred yuan each month on daily expenses and sends the rest back to his home in Anhui Province. Although he has become famous, he is perfectly clear that he is only an amateur. His long-term goal is to create instead of copying and become a professional painter.

【推荐3】A Valuable Lesson for Life

Born in Nanchang city, Jiangxi, in 1961, Wu Aijia wanted to become a teacher since childhood. She applied to work as a teacher at the primary school in Niyang village after graduation.

When Wu, then 19, went to the village in Yichun city, Jiangxi province, to work as a village teacher in 1980, villagers were doubtful if she was going to stay long. After all, a number of voluntary teachers had arrived before, but all had left soon after.

Located in the mountains, the village was very poor and far from any town. Villagers had to hike in the mountains since there was no road. Wu was shocked by the poor conditions there. She had known the conditions were poor, but the reality was worse. The blackboard, door and windows were in a state of disrepair, some chairs had legs missing, and desks were pieced together at different heights.

Moreover, local people needed to go downhill to buy daily goods, and transport them back in their hands or balanced them across their shoulders. Wu Aijia had never walked uphill on a mountain road before, so she walked much more slowly than others, sometimes the wild boars and rabbits made her frightened.

But she gradually got used to her life there. At the beginning, she found many local people valued their sons far more than their daughters, and would not like to let them attend school. Wu went to their homes repeatedly and gradually persuaded them to send all their children to school. For those who could not afford the tuition, she spent her own money to help. She knows that education is an essential part of her efforts to help students escape poverty.

In 2012, Wu was assigned to work in another school in the town, but she refused and applied to go to the Baiyang village school, which is situated even more remotely in the mountains where she remains.

Over the years, more than 1,000 students of hers have left there and created a better life.

“Seeing them achieve progress, I’m so happy that I feel richer than any millionaire,” said Wu.

【推荐2】Traveling to China is the dream of many people but it is important to be aware that the Chinese culture is different from Western cultures. So before arriving in China, make sure that you understand the Chinese traditions.

The eldest comes first

In China, it is a big deal to respect the eldest one in the family. The Chinese have a great respect for their parents and grandparents. So if you are introduced to someone in a place full of people, always address the oldest person first, and do the same when you are leaving.

The host pays the bill

If you are invited to a restaurant by your Chinese friends, be prepared to eat and drink for free. And if you invite them, also be ready to pay all the bill on your own. And it is not polite if you don’t offer to pay it in full if you are the host.

Be aware of the chopsticks rules

Believe it or not, there are several traditions and rules involving chopsticks in China. So never stick them straight up to your rice, never drum (敲打) them, or have them in your hands while making a gesture.

Check if your gift isn’t on the bad-luck list

If you are offering a gift to a Chinese friend, be aware that there are many items considered to bring bad luck to them, such as clocks, umbrellas, scissors and knives. Presents should be given with both hands and never be wrapped in white.

【推荐3】There is a lot to learn about the unusual habits and characteristics of the British people when you visit London for the first time.     1     Have you noticed that British people are indirect when we speak? Here are some examples. If the phone is ringing, we won’t ask someone to answer it; instead, we will simply state “the phone is ringing” in the hope that somebody will answer it.

    2     In Britain, we might say that “is anyone else cold?” and expect the person nearest the open window to close it.

When it comes to paying the bill, expect anything. After a social outing, there is no common convention as to who will pay the bill. Even if someone has invited you out, that doesn’t mean they will pay for you. They may just want to spend some time with you. On the other hand, some people may insist on paying their share.     3    

The pub is at the heart of socializing. Visitors to the UK are often surprised at the wide range of ages, sexes and socio demographic(人口)backgrounds of people who go to pubs.     4     It is literally(字面上)a house for everyone in the community to sit, relax and socialize. It is common, especially at weekends, to find families and groups with people of all ages together.     5     Some pubs will provide games and books for people to play and entertain themselves as they would at home, while others will put on live music or even a comedy show.