A cattle-farming couple turned a cowshed into a 300-sq-m villa, making a much-talked-about older woman-younger man romance

Source: Minsu Toutiao

Six years ago, Xiaoma turned 30

Naturally became the focus of attention among relatives and friends

"Once a woman passes 30, she's hard to marry off, hurry up"

"What kind of man are you actually looking for"

Faced with relatives' "intimate concern"

Xiaoma pretended not to hear

And continued her travels

Traveling to Ushuaia, the end of the world

Climbing Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America

Diving in the Bosphorus Strait

Alone, working, traveling

Living life freely and elegantly

Actually, regarding her future other half

Xiaoma had her own ideas

"He should be attentive, enjoy listening to live JAZZ

Ideally have a piece of land back in his hometown

Willing to live peacefully, living an ordinary life"

Before 30, Xiaoma ran all over the world

At 30, she actually wanted stability in her heart

But she had never found that person

Until after returning to China, while traveling in Shuhe, Lijiang

She met Xiaohou

At that time, Xiaohou was a recent college graduate

Traveling to Lijiang

The first time he saw Xiaoma

He fell in love at first sight

Along the way, hearing that Xiaoma had been to so many places

He liked this girl in front of him even more

Later, Xiaohou took the initiative to invite Xiaoma to travel in Southeast Asia

After a month

Xiaoma became "Brother Ma" in Xiaohou's words

The two went from travel partners to a couple

Xiaoma never imagined

That the man she had always been looking for

Was actually Xiaohou, who was 6 years younger than her

Fate is indeed wonderfully mysterious

Now, Xiaohou has quit smoking and drinking for Xiaoma

And has also started to enjoy the live JAZZ that Xiaoma likes

Loves Hasselblad, Leica, and film

Becoming one

That's just how it happened

After dating for a year

The young couple quickly became husband and wife

The two came to Shaxi

Planning to settle down here

"A big house, bright floor-to-ceiling windows

A garden to stroll in

A dog, and a few friends"

This was their entire fantasy about home

In their 5th year here

Having saved enough money

This dream was about to come true

In May of that year

Xiaohou specifically rode his motorcycle to Hualong Village

It was the season when catalpa trees bloom

The whole village was pink

Passing by a narrow path

He came across a cowshed

A cow at the door was looking at him sideways with disdain

Extremely comical

He fell in love with this place at once

Thought it was too cool, too perfect for his and Xiaoma's home

After meeting the landlord

He immediately settled the matter

Upon returning, he threw himself into the renovation

Dividing the 300-sq-m area

Half for the house

The other half for a vegetable garden

The house was built in Bai ethnic style

Using local rice-flower stone to build the courtyard walls

Using hexagonal grey bricks for the floor

Using stalactite mined from local karst caves for the hall walls

Cutting windows into the one-meter-thick earth walls creates the most beautiful paintings

The paint for these paintings is the green of the mountains and the blue of the sky

The living room is dominated by natural wood tones

Above is a white semicircular pendant lamp

Xiaohou said, "This is moving the moon into our home"

The two specifically placed a large sofa in the living room

Saying that's what gives it a homey feel

When friends come to visit

Gathering around to chat about everything is just perfect

Xiaoma insisted on placing a fireplace next to the sofa

So that in winter, they can stay in

Light the fire, roast sweet potatoes, brew tea

Just thinking about it makes winter feel not too cold

The studio is set up on the second floor

The most open and bright spot

Besides photography, Xiaohou

Also has a longing for the stars in the sky

By the window sits his beloved telescope

At night, he gazes at the starry sky

Opposite the studio is a space specially opened up for handicrafts

Xiaoma loves handicrafts

Ties, crossbody bags, tie-dyed scarves

Various ethnic-style items

Sometimes, Xiaoma holds handicraft classes

For the children in the village

Sometimes, for guests visiting Shaxi

Who also love handicrafts

If they get too absorbed and forget the time

Xiaoma will tell everyone not to leave

And just sleep in the guest rooms on the second floor

There are two guest rooms on the second floor

Originally prepared for acquaintances

Now they often host unfamiliar friends too

Wood-toned decor, "indigenous" bed sheets and covers

Lying down, warm light falling on you

Cozy and soothing

The day's fatigue disappears with it

Xiaohou and Xiaoma want their home to be simple and plain

So they named this home "Supu" (Simplicity)

Originally not open to the public

But as more people passed by

They would host some

Their principle is "follow your feelings"

If you hit it off, just stay

If it's a guest meeting for the first time

Little Monkey usually doesn't receive guests

He'll tell you to take a walk around Shaxi first

Browse the general store

Then come to the house, sit together, have a cup of tea and clink glasses of wine

Shaxi has many catalpa trees; they bloom and then fade

Like the days of a young couple, cycling over and over

Doing ordinary things

At home, the two occasionally take walks through the streets and alleys

Chat a few words with the villagers

Sometimes, many people ask Little Ma and Little Monkey

Why stay in Shaxi

Little Ma says, because of the people who love this place and enjoy life

For example, the landlord uncle, seeing they like old objects

Found a big jar

Filled with dead leaves picked up on the mountain, and gave it to them

He always says, "The house is rented to you

You rent my house, it's all good"

The older sister who taught them batik

Met them on the street years ago by chance

Warmly invited them to her home as guests

Taught them the craft

Neighbor Beard, and Little Yu who loves bread

And Stone, who says, "Now life is so poor it's like being a grandson

So happy it's like being a grandpa"

This bunch of people have already entered their daily life

Now whenever they're free they get together

Someone shouts they want pizza, and they throw a party

In the end there isn't even a reason anymore

They just get together and drink till they're drunk

This kind of friendship can be encountered but not sought

Now, the two run a general store together, and a "plain" little home

Little Monkey also takes photos for others

Little Ma makes handicrafts to earn money

When busy they stay at home

Running a small business, gathering with friends, teaching others crafts

When free, they save a bit of money, and then head out

Spend a few months on the road

Go see different places

Maybe go to India to hunt for distinctive local drums

Or buy Iranian hookahs

And Moroccan carpets...

Bring them back, can put them at home

Or put them in the general store to sell

Last month, Little Ma and Little Monkey were still staying in Xinjiang

While everyone was staring at the World Cup on screen

These two were in Tashkurgan

Happily drinking tea and eating naan

Playing football with local kids

Some things just come late, like love

--THE END--

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