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  • WELCOME: Zhang Guangyi greets clients at his shop
  • CONSULTATION: A student consults Zhang Guangyi, nicknamed "Pen Grandpa" about how to maintain pens
  • METICULOUS: Zhang inspects a pen for repair
  • OLD HAND: Zhang polishes a pen tip
  • INK-STAINED: Zhang's fingertips are stained with ink
  • SELECTION: Zhang chooses a pen from his small storeroom to give to a client
  • CALL IT A DAY: Zhang hangs an "on break" sign after a day's work
  • KEEP INFORMED: Zhang reads The Beijing News on April 26. He pays special attention to news on old city transformation, because he worries his shop might be removed
  • WALKING HOME: Zhang goes home after a day's work

Photos by Xu Zijian, edited by Pan Shuangqin

Zhang Guangyi, 82, runs what might be the last fountain pen repair shop on Dongsi South Street in downtown Beijing. He has dedicated more than 60 years to this trade and is treasured by his clients as an indispensable part of Beijing.

His young clients cordially call him "fountain pen grandpa."

"I might have repaired hundreds of thousands of pens," said Zhang.

As computers become increasingly popular, people use pens less frequently in work and daily life.

But to Zhang, the pen is no longer simply a writing tool. More importantly, it represents a kind of culture that he is dedicated to with all his energy and painstaking efforts.

Zhang once had several apprentices, but they gave up one after another because the trade brings little money.

In fact, Zhang earns little more than 1,000 yuan ($161) a month from the repair and sale of pens. "If I rent out this shop, I could earn at least 10 times my income," said Zhang.

As frequently as his declining health permits, he still fixes pens at his shop from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. "Actually, I want to stop working and take a good rest. But if I close the business, clients would be disappointed."

The 10-square-meter shop is decorated with awards for being a "Model Worker" and gifts from grateful clients.

"Beijing is the cultural center of China, and this culture should have a pen repairing shop," Zhang added. Although he knows that people's needs for his craft diminishes, he still wants to pass down his skills.

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