Reborn Troops

Zhou Wanwan was sitting in her small jewelry shop, the raindrops outside the window hitting the glass, making crisp sounds.

Her fingers gently stroked a piece of freshly polished jade, but she was thinking about something else.

Recently, her business has been getting better and better, especially the custom-made jewelry, which has made her famous.

But today, she encountered an unprecedented challenge.

"Wanwan, have you heard? Ms. Xianwang wants you to design an umbrella inlaid with gemstones."

A shallow voice came from the other end of the phone, with a hint of excitement and worry.

Zhou Wanwan sighed, put down the jade in her hand, and walked to the window.

The streets seemed particularly peaceful in the rain, but her heart was surging. "I know, Qianqian. This is no ordinary challenge."

"You have to find a way, Wanwan. Ms. Xianwang is not an ordinary person, and her requests are always so unique." There was a hint of encouragement in Qianqian's voice.

Zhou Wanwan nodded, although it was not visible. "I know, I will try my best."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Wanwan sat at the table and began to think.

Various shapes and colors of gemstones came to her mind, but how to incorporate them into an umbrella was indeed a problem.

A few days later, Ms. Xianwang arrived as promised. She was a middle-aged lady with elegant temperament, wearing a dark blue cheongsam and holding a black umbrella.

Her eyes were sharp, as if she could see through people's hearts.

"I heard that you are a talented designer." Ms. Xianwang's voice was low and powerful, with a hint of unquestionable majesty.

Zhou Wanwan smiled slightly and tried to remain calm. "Ms. Xianwang, you are too kind. I am just doing my best."

Ms. Xianwang nodded and looked around the store. "I want an umbrella inlaid with gems. Can you do it?"

Zhou Wanwan took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll try my best."

Ms. Xianwang's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a satisfied smile. "Very good, I look forward to your work."

Zhou Wanwan felt a surge of pressure. She knew that this was not just an umbrella, but also a challenge, an opportunity to prove her ability.

A few days later, Qianqian came to the store and saw Zhou Wanwan working hard. "Wanwan, are you okay?"

Zhou Wanwan raised her head and forced a smile. "It's okay, just a little bit stressful."

Qianqian walked up to her and patted her shoulder gently. "Don't worry, I believe you."

Zhou Wanwan nodded and continued to work, her fingers flying across the paper, sketching out designs one by one.

She thought of raindrops, the light of gems, and the sharp eyes of Ms. Xianwang.

A few days later, Zhou Wanwan finally finished the design. She picked up the drawing and looked at it carefully.

This is an exquisite umbrella with gems of various colors inlaid on the umbrella surface, just like raindrops sparkling in the sun.

The umbrella handle is carved with exquisite patterns, like a winding stream.

Zhou Wanwan sat in her studio, holding the design drawing she had just completed in her hand, feeling a little uneasy.

She knew that Ms. Xianwang’s requirement was not only retro, but also the ultimate pursuit of details.

To ensure that everything went well, she decided to consult her teacher, Master Zhongshan.

Master Zhongshan is an old man in his seventies. His studio is located on the other side of the city and is filled with various antiques and artworks.

Zhou Wanwan called the teacher and briefly explained the situation.

"Teacher, I have encountered a difficult problem. Ms. Xianwang wants a retro-style umbrella, but I always feel that my design is not perfect enough." There was a hint of anxiety in Zhou Wanwan's voice.

Master Zhongshan was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, and then slowly said: "Wanwan, retro is not just an imitation of appearance, but also a deep understanding of the culture and craftsmanship of that era. Come to my place and we can have a good chat."

The next morning, Zhou Wanwan drove to Master Sun Yat-sen's studio.

The studio is filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, and the walls are covered with various ancient handicrafts, each of which seems to be telling its own story.

"Teacher, I'm here." Zhou Wanwan said softly, afraid of disturbing the tranquility here.

Master Zhongshan raised his head from a pile of ancient books, smiled and motioned her to sit down. "Wanwan, I've seen the design drawings you brought, and there are indeed some areas that need improvement."

Zhou Wanwan quickly took out the design drawing and handed it to the teacher. "Teacher, what do you think needs to be improved?"

Master Zhongshan took the drawing, looked at it carefully for a while, and then pointed to the handle and said, "Look here, although the carving on the handle is exquisite, it lacks a sense of historical weight."

"You might consider using some ancient carving techniques, such as relief or hollowing."

Zhou Wanwan nodded, and suddenly she understood. "Teacher, you are right. I should pay more attention to the details."

Master Zhongshan continued: "Also, the material of the umbrella needs to be considered. Vintage umbrellas are usually made of silk or cotton, which not only feels good, but also better shows the luster of the gemstone."

Zhou Wanwan carefully wrote down every word of the teacher and had a clearer idea about this design in her mind.

"Teacher, I understand. I will redesign it and try to make it perfect."