Reborn Troops

Zhou Wanwan sat at the workbench, pencil in hand, staring at the sketch in front of her.

The symbols of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches kept appearing in her mind, trying to perfectly combine them with the astronaut's sweater chain.

Qianqian sat aside, watching her quietly, occasionally handing her a cup of hot tea, and asked softly: "Wanwan, have you come up with any good ideas?"

Zhou Wanwan frowned and shook her head: "The symbols of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are too complicated.

Using it directly on a sweater chain would be a bit cumbersome and not concise enough.”

After a brief thought, he suggested, “Maybe you could simplify the symbols?

For example, take only part of it, or replace it with a geometric shape?"

Zhou Wanwan's eyes lit up and she nodded: "You're right, simplification is a good idea."

She picked up a pencil and quickly sketched a few simplified symbols on the sketch, then combined them with the astronaut's trajectory.

At this moment, the door of the studio was pushed open again, and Master Zhongshan walked in. Zhou Wanwan and Qianqian looked up at the same time, looking at him in surprise.

"Teacher, why are you here again?" Zhou Wanwan was a little confused.

Master Zhongshan smiled, walked to the workbench, and his eyes fell on Zhou Wanwan's sketch: "I'll come and see your progress."

He looked at the sketch carefully and nodded: "Not bad, the simplified symbol looks more modern."

Zhou Wanwan smiled a little embarrassedly: "Thank you for the compliment, teacher."

Master Zhongshan pondered for a moment and said slowly: "However, I think we can add some 'dynamic' elements."

"Updates?" Zhou Wanwan and Qianqian looked at Master Zhongshan at the same time.

"Yes, dynamic." Master Zhongshan nodded, "Astronauts' exploration is full of dynamics.

The symbols of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches can also be expressed in a dynamic way.”

Zhou Wanwan nodded thoughtfully: "Teacher, do you mean that we can make the symbols move?"

Master Zhongshan smiled and nodded: "That's right. For example,

You can add some movable parts to the sweater chain so that the symbols can change with your movements when you wear it.”

Zhou Wanwan immediately picked up a pencil and added some small movable parts to the sketch.

She feels that this design not only adds interest, but also makes the entire work more vivid.

Zhou Wanwan's hand suddenly stopped on the sketch, and her eyes moved from the paper to Qianqian.

There was a hint of disbelief in her eyes. Qianqian was arranging the teacups on the table with her head down, and she didn't seem to notice Zhou Wanwan's abnormality.

"Qianqian," Zhou Wanwan's voice trembled a little, "You just said...you sold my design to Xingguang Design Company?"

Qianqian's hand paused, and the teacup gently hit the table, making a crisp sound.

She raised her head, a hint of panic on her face, but soon regained her composure.

“Wanwan, I…I just think your design is too good to just stay here.

The compensation from Xingguang Design Company is very high, I think... we can share the money together." Qianqian's voice became smaller and smaller, and finally almost inaudible.

Zhou Wanwan's heart sank suddenly. She felt as if something was pressing down on her chest.

Breathing became difficult. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

"Qianqian, do you know what these designs mean to me?"

Zhou Wanwan's voice was low and calm. "This is the work I designed for astronauts.

It is my understanding of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, and my exploration of the future. How could you...how could you just sell it to someone else like that?"

Qianqian's face turned pale, she bit her lower lip and whispered, "Wanwan, I just want to help you.

Haven’t you always wanted to expand the influence of your studio? Starlight Design Company can help you do that.”

"Help me?" Zhou Wanwan sneered, "Are you helping me, or are you destroying my dream?"

Master Zhongshan stood aside with a frown on his face, obviously surprised by the situation.

He coughed lightly, trying to ease the atmosphere: "Wanwan, Qianqian, calm down first. There may be a misunderstanding about this matter."

"There is no misunderstanding, teacher." Zhou Wanwan's voice was a little choked, "Qianqian, why did you do this? Aren't we good friends?"

Qianqian's eyes were red, she lowered her head, her voice was almost inaudible:

"Wanwan, I'm sorry... I just... I just feel that the resources of our studio are too limited. Your wonderful designs should be seen by more people."

"So you chose to betray me?" Zhou Wanwan's voice was filled with anger.

"Do you know how much effort I put into these designs? Do you know that I stayed up late every night just to find the most perfect way to express them?"

Finally, tears fell from her eyes. She raised her head and looked at Zhou Wanwan with tearful eyes:

"Wanwan, I really didn't mean it. I just... I just wanted to help you."

"Help me?" Zhou Wanwan's voice suddenly rose. "Are you helping me? You are destroying my trust!"

Seeing this, Master Zhongshan stepped forward and patted Zhou Wanwan on the shoulder: "Wanwan, calm down. Qianqian may have her own difficulties."

"Hardship?" Zhou Wanwan sneered, "What hardship does she have? She's just doing it for the money!"

Zhou Wanwan's words were like a sharp blade, piercing into Qianqian's heart. Qianqian's body trembled slightly, and tears rolled down like beads from a broken string.

She opened her mouth as if she wanted to explain something, but in the end only let out a faint whimper.

"Wanwan, I...I really didn't..." Qianqian's voice was choked with sobs, and she could hardly continue.

Seeing this, Master Zhongshan frowned even more. He sighed softly, with a hint of helplessness in his tone: "

Wanwan, Qianqian, you are all students I taught, and I understand you.

There may really be a misunderstanding about this matter. Why don’t we sit down and have a good talk first?”

Zhou Wanwan shook her head, her eyes full of disappointment and anger: "Teacher, you don't have to say anything more.

I have seen clearly that Qianqian...she doesn't care about my feelings at all."

When Qianqian heard this, her heart was broken. She raised her head suddenly and looked at Zhou Wanwan with tearful eyes:

"Wanwan, do you really think of me that much? Do you really think I'm only interested in money?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at her coldly and did not answer.

Qianqian's heart was completely cold. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down: "Okay, since you think so, then I have nothing to say."

After she finished speaking, she turned and was about to leave.

Master Zhongshan saw this and quickly stepped forward to stop her: "Qianqian, don't be impulsive. You can't just leave like this before things are clear."

Qianqian stopped and looked back at Master Zhongshan, her eyes filled with mixed emotions: "Teacher, do you also think I did something wrong?"

Master Zhongshan was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Qianqian,

I'm not saying you did something wrong, I just think there might be other explanations for this.

You two are my most important students, and I don’t want to see you drift apart because of misunderstandings.”

Shallow tears welled up again, she lowered her head, her voice trembling:

"Teacher, I really don't know how to explain it. Wanwan...she has already determined that I am in this for money."