"I was put in a plaster cast in bed in a Tianjin hospital and had to lie flat for three months after returning," Hao said.

Bedridden, Hao turned to paper-cutting as a form of therapy. This period of limited mobility forced her to calm down and observe natural details — like the slow blooming of a flower — with microscopic intensity, a focus that remains visible in her lifelike animals and plants today.

This lifelong dedication, born from a period of personal stillness, has found a place in China's massive regional revitalization efforts.

Hao's studio has evolved into a critical node for the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal National Cultural Park.

The Grand Canal National Cultural Park is one of China's major cultural projects, involving eight provinces and municipalities.

As the canal belt is revitalized to preserve regional heritage, Hao's focus has shifted toward "productive transmission".

Her studio serves as a research base for the booming study tour industry, where she teaches children using pre-drawn patterns that allow them to finish a real product on their first attempt. By ensuring a sense of immediate achievement, she is planting the seeds of heritage interest in a generation that views the world through digital screens.

For Hao, the goal is to prove that authentic traditional culture is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing entity that can thrive at the intersection of human spirit and high-tech precision.

Cai Muzi contributed to this story.