Reborn Troops

"Technological problems can be solved slowly." Zhou Guo said disapprovingly, "The key is to have an idea first, and then find a way to realize it.

If you think it's feasible, I can help you contact some friends who do metal processing to see if it can be done."

Zhou Wanwan nodded, and she began to think about it. She suddenly felt that

Zhou Guo's suggestion gave her a new direction. Perhaps this orange folding copper coin could really become her signature design.

"Then... let's try it?" She raised her head and looked at Zhou Guo.

"Let's give it a try." Zhou Guo smiled and patted her shoulder, "But, sister, you have to promise me one thing."

"What's the matter?" Zhou Wanwan looked at him warily.

"When this copper coin necklace sells well, you have to treat me to a big meal." Zhou Guo blinked.

"Okay, no problem." Zhou Wanwan agreed readily.

In the next few days, Zhou Wanwan and Zhou Guo were very busy. They contacted several metal processing factories.

We discussed the feasibility of the folding structure and asked several designer friends to help adjust the orange tone to ensure that it was both eye-catching and textured.

Zhou Wanwan stood at the door of Master Zhongshan's studio, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door gently.

A low "Come in" came from inside the door. She pushed it open and saw Master Zhongshan sitting in front of a large wooden table, holding an unfinished silver ornament in his hand and carving it attentively.

"Master, excuse me for disturbing you." Zhou Wanwan said respectfully.

Master Zhongshan raised his head, pushed his reading glasses on the bridge of his nose, and smiled gently, "It's Wanwan, come in. What can I do for you?"

Zhou Wanwan walked to the table and handed over the design sketch in her hand, "Master, I am designing a copper coin necklace recently. I would like to ask you to take a look and give me some suggestions."

Master Zhongshan took the sketch and studied it carefully for a while, frowning slightly, "Orange copper coin? Folding structure? This is quite new."

"Yes, I want to try some new design ideas, but I always feel that some aspects are not perfect enough, so I would like to ask you for advice." Zhou Wanwan said a little nervously.

Master Zhongshan put down the sketch and looked up at her, "Wanwan, what is the most important thing in design?"

Zhou Wanwan was stunned for a moment, and after thinking for a moment, she answered, "It's... creativity and beauty?"

"Not exactly." Master Zhongshan shook his head, "The most important thing about design is the 'soul'.

If a work has no soul, no matter how much creativity and beauty it has, it is just an empty shell.”

"Soul?" Zhou Wanwan was a little confused.

"Yes, soul." Master Zhongshan stood up, walked to the display cabinet nearby, and pointed at an ancient silver ornament.

“Look at this piece. It looks simple, but every line carries the craftsman’s emotions and stories. This is the core of the design.”

Zhou Wanwan looked at the silver jewelry and nodded thoughtfully.

"Your orange copper coin and folding structure are indeed very creative, but they lack soul." Master Zhongshan continued.

“Why did you design this necklace? What does it want to express? These are the questions you need to think about.”

Zhou Wanwan was silent for a while, and whispered, "I...I just want to attract more young people and make them interested in traditional culture."

"This is a good intention, but it's not enough." Master Zhongshan walked back to the table, picked up a pen and drew a few strokes on the sketch.

"Look, if you design the folding structure of the copper coin into an 'opening and closing' action, symbolizing the opening and inheritance of history, wouldn't it be more meaningful?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at the sketch, her eyes gradually brightening, "Master, do you mean to make this necklace not just a piece of jewelry, but a symbol of culture?"

"That's right." Master Zhongshan nodded. "Design is not only about innovation in appearance, but also about exploring the connotation. You want the wearer to feel the weight of history and the warmth of culture."

Zhou Wanwan nodded excitedly, "Master, I understand! I will readjust the design and add more cultural elements."

Master Zhongshan smiled and said, "Very good. However, the design process will not be smooth sailing. You need to be patient."

"I will." Zhou Wanwan said firmly.

After leaving Master Zhongshan's studio, Zhou Wanwan immediately returned to the store and began to rethink the design.

She designed the folding structure of the copper coin into an "opening and closing" movement, and added cloud and lotus patterns from the Tang Dynasty to the edge of the copper coin, symbolizing the inheritance and beauty of history.

A few days later, Zhou Guo came to the store and saw Zhou Wanwan concentrating on drawing, with the table piled with draft papers.

"Sister, what are you doing?" Zhou Guo asked curiously.

Zhou Wanwan raised her head with a tired but excited smile on her face, "I'm redesigning the copper coin necklace and adding some new ideas."

"Oh? Let me see." Zhou Guo leaned over and picked up a sketch. "Wow, this folding structure looks even more interesting! And these patterns give it a Tang Dynasty feel."

"Yes, Master Zhongshan gave me a lot of inspiration." Zhou Wanwan said with a smile, "He said that design should have soul, so I added more cultural elements."

"Not bad, it seems that your hard work these days has not been in vain." Zhou Guo patted her shoulder, "But, sister, although your design is good, will it be more difficult to realize in terms of craftsmanship?"

Zhou Wanwan nodded. "It's indeed a bit complicated, but I have contacted several metal processing factories and they all said they could give it a try."

"That's good." Zhou Guo breathed a sigh of relief. "But, sister, you have to be prepared. This kind of complicated design may be very expensive."

"I know." Zhou Wanwan sighed, "But I think that as long as this necklace can have a soul, no matter how high the cost is, it is worth it."

Zhou Guo looked at her determined eyes and couldn't help laughing, "Sister, you are really becoming more and more like a designer."

"Really?" Zhou Wanwan also smiled. "But I still have to thank you. If it weren't for your suggestion, I wouldn't have thought of this."

"Don't be polite, we are friends." Zhou Guo waved his hand, "But, sister, you have to promise me one thing."

"What's the matter?" Zhou Wanwan looked at him warily.

"When this copper coin necklace sells well, you have to treat me to a big meal." Zhou Guo blinked.

"Okay, no problem." Zhou Wanwan agreed readily.