"See the broad annual ring and the light color, this tree enjoyed a year of good rainfall and exposure to the sun; while this kind of grain is caused by a thunderbolt," Qi pontificates as he paces through the warehouse, speculating on the life of the freshly-cut trees by reading their patterns like an expert.

It's a talent that Qi developed out of necessity.

In the beginning, he positioned himself as just a designer, but he soon realized that no foundry or factory could deliver his idea perfectly.

Through trial and error, self-study and learning from experts, he became a skillful carpenter.

"Actually, I wasn't eager to position our products as luxury goods-I was just immersed in the pursuit of quality," says Qi.

By 2015, he had sold over 1,000 pieces, made for more than 10 types of collection, including jade, bronzeware, calligraphy, paintings, dark red enameled pottery and Buddha statues.