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After some research on bamboo, they a Zen-like feeling. Only when art events kick
chose the firm and corrosion-resistant Meng- off (normally twice a month), the staff from
zong Bamboo as their raw material, and built Hochin , another aquilaria brand founded by
[1]
up the tea house by hand with the dried and Chen, would take in necessary furniture to
cut bamboo strips. As each batch of the strips match the event theme, such as aquilaria expe-
lasts about 4 to 5 years, the 6-year-old tea house rience and tea ceremony. “Theme, music per-
has gone through a round of renovation. As the formance, space decoration, and most impor-
founder said, he was not sure if the Peace Place tantly, the vitality infused by visitors”. All these
would take on a new look in the future. “It’s all elements present the different “blossoms” of
about creation. When we get new ideas, we will the tea house.
translate them into reality.” When we asked about the low frequency
As the online exposure brings ever-heated of events, Chen told us that Hochin is still
attention, many visitors waste no time to come caught up with its major business. Maybe when
here with only little information. Such hastiness the brand becomes steadier, the Peace Place
is not what Chen wants. During the normal days would be a regular tea space with some events.
with no events, the Peace Place is almost devoid For now, he still wants to keep it slow, no rush
of furniture, leaving enough blank spaces to create for the “peace place” in his heart.

An inn for the “simple-minded” Compared to the fast-paced businessmen who
blindly follow consumers, those “simple-minded” ones
Chen named the tea house as “Simple-minded who pursue sincerity normally face a tougher condi-
Space” (憨人书院) in Chinese. As for the word “sim- tion. Chen used his experience as an example. Because
ple-minded (憨)”, Chen has a very different under- of his teaching family and technical background, he
standing from the typical saying in his hometown developed a habit of analyzing product categories, and
that “the simple-minded are the blessed”. He prefers sadly found that more people tended to offer low-qual-
to cut the world in two as “courage (敢)” and “heart ity products for profits, throwing the kindness away.
(心) ” to make a new definition. “Are simple-mind- “The situation is not uncommon in modern society.
ed people fools? I don’t think so, though I am sure The people-orientated thinking has somehow given
of one thing: his journey is not easy. However, as way to overwhelming commercialization.” Therefore,
far as he makes the choice and hits the road, he when he sees those with small survival spaces strug-
would take full responsibility for his decision.” Such gling in the crowded market arena, he decided to
motivation and persistence remind Chen of some- create a space for the simple-minded, where they can
one he met before. rest and find they are not alone.

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