Reborn Troops

Zhou Wanwan and her best friend Qianqian were sitting behind the counter of a jewelry store, fiddling with a newly made bracelet in her hands.

It was a bracelet of small daisies. Each daisy was woven with tiny pearls and silver threads. It was so delicate that you could almost smell the fragrance of the flowers.

Zhou Wanwan's fingers gently slid across the bracelet, and a hint of barely perceptible melancholy flashed in her eyes.

"Wanwan, this bracelet is so beautiful. Did you make it?" Qianqian came closer with a gleam in her eyes.

Zhou Wanwan nodded, forcing a smile: "Well, I made this when I had nothing to do."

Qianqian picked up the bracelet and examined it carefully: "The pearls are so well chosen, each one is so round, and the silver threads are so delicately woven, it's like a work of art."

Zhou Wanwan sighed softly: "Artworks? They are just some small things."

Qianqian noticed that Zhou Wanwan was in a bad mood, put down the bracelet, and asked with concern: "Wanwan, what's wrong with you? You always seem to be worried lately."

Zhou Wanwan shook her head and forced a smile: "Nothing, just a little tired."

On this day, Zhou Wanwan was working while thinking about Ms. Chen Lu's order.

She sighed, put the bracelet down, and looked out the window.

The sunlight came in through the glass window and shone on her face, but it could not dispel the gloom in her heart.

"Wanwan, what's wrong with you?" Qianqian came over from behind with a cup of coffee in her hand.

She is Zhou Wanwan's best friend and also a partner of this jewelry store.

"I don't know how to proceed with Ms. Chen Lu's order." Zhou Wanwan took the coffee, took a sip, and the bitter taste spread in her mouth.

"Octopus ring?" Qianqian raised her eyebrows. "This is a challenge."

"Yes," Zhou Wanwan nodded, "and she asked that the octopus's head be opened and a small scented bead be placed inside. What should we do?"

Qianqian smiled and patted Zhou Wanwan on the shoulder: "Don't worry, Wanwan. You are the most creative designer in our store. This little problem won't be difficult for you."

Zhou Wanwan smiled bitterly: "But I'm really a little unsure this time."

"Then relax for a while," Qianqian suggested, "Let's go have a cup of coffee and talk about something else, maybe some inspiration will come."

The two walked out of the jewelry store and came to a coffee shop on the corner. Qianqian ordered two cups of latte, and Zhou Wanwan ordered an Americano.

"Wanwan, do you remember when we first opened the store?" Qianqian asked with a smile after taking a sip of coffee.

"Of course I remember," Zhou Wanwan nodded, "At that time we had nothing but passion and a few simple tools."

"Yeah," Qianqian said with emotion, "At that time we didn't dare to think about anything else. We just wanted to keep the store open."

"Now, we have not only opened a store, but also received various orders, even from big customers like Ms. Chen Lu."

Zhou Wanwan smiled and said, "Yeah, time flies."

"So," Qianqian patted Zhou Wanwan's hand, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Although Ms. Chen Lu's order is challenging, it is also an opportunity. You have to believe in yourself and you will definitely do it well."

Zhou Wanwan nodded, feeling a little more relaxed. She took a sip of coffee and suddenly thought of something: "Qianqian, you said that the octopus's head can be opened and a small fragrance bead can be placed inside. Doesn't this design look a bit like..."

"Like what?" Qianqian asked curiously.

"Like a secret," Zhou Wanwan's eyes lit up, "a secret hidden in the head of an octopus."

Qianqian smiled: "That's a good idea. The secrets in the octopus's head sound very interesting."

"Yes," Zhou Wanwan became excited. "I can design the octopus's head into a rotating mechanism, and put a small scented bead inside when it is opened. This will not only meet Ms. Chen Lu's requirements, but also increase the fun of the ring."

"Great!" Qianqian clapped her hands and cheered, "Wanwan, you really are a genius!"

Zhou Wanwan smiled, but she was still a little nervous: "However, this design still needs some adjustments in details. I have to go back and think about it carefully."

"No problem," Qianqian nodded, "Go back and think about it carefully. I'll wait for you here."

The two returned to the jewelry store, and Zhou Wanwan immediately immersed herself in the design. She took out a pen and paper and began to sketch.

The octopus's head, the rotating mechanism, the position of the small fragrance beads...she pondered over every detail.

As time passed, Zhou Wanwan's sketch became more and more perfect. After she finished the last stroke, she let out a long sigh and looked up at Qianqian: "Qianqian, what do you think?"

Qianqian took the sketch and looked at it carefully: "Very good, Wanwan. This design is both creative and practical. Ms. Chen Lu will definitely like it."

Zhou Wanwan smiled, but she was still a little uneasy: "But I'm still a little worried. Although this design looks good, will there be any problems in the actual production?"

"Don't worry," Qianqian patted Zhou Wanwan's shoulder, "You are the most experienced designer in our store. This little problem won't be difficult for you."

Zhou Wanwan nodded, feeling a little relieved. She picked up the sketch and began to prepare the materials.

What material should be used for the octopus's head?

How to design the rotating part of the mechanism?

How to fix the small incense beads? She considered every question carefully.

Zhou Wanwan was concentrating on the selection of materials and the design of the mechanism when she suddenly heard a familiar sound of footsteps coming from the door. She looked up and saw Master Zhongshan walking into the store with a smile.

"Teacher Zhongshan!" Zhou Wanwan stood up in surprise and walked forward to greet him.

Master Zhongshan is a well-known jewelry designer in the industry and also Zhou Wanwan’s mentor.