Chapter 12

"Mr. Luo, there's a new person here?"

In the production studio, people saw the new face, Zhang Tan, and asked Luo Ming, who was standing beside him.

"This is Zhang Tan, a very talented young man. He is now my assistant screenwriter. Please take care of him in the future."

Luo Ming introduced Zhang Tan to everyone he met, and Zhang Tan would stop, smile, and nod at the person. Some would respond and then leave, while others would stop to chat for a bit.

The two walked through the office area on the ninth floor and entered the office.

Luo Ming was not a leader, but he was a senior screenwriter. Each screenwriter, once assigned to a project, would be given an office as the workspace for the screenwriting team.

Luo Ming had strong professional skills and had worked on many projects. Each time, he needed a temporary office, so eventually, he was given a fixed one.

"You will be working here from now on. It's just the two of us for now," Luo Ming said.

The computer and desk were already prepared. The room, about 20 square meters, would be shared by Luo Ming and Zhang Tan.

"Thank you," Zhang Tan said.

Luo Ming waved his hand, sat down, and gestured for Zhang Tan to sit as well.

"Let's talk about the script. Now that you're part of the team, feel free to speak your mind. The most important thing in collaborative scriptwriting is to be open and honest with each other."

The story of "Under Tianyu Mountain" is set in an ancient Chinese mythological period, in a feudal dynasty created by the author. Various countries coexist, including major ones like Wei, Zhou, and Chu, and smaller ones like Chen and Zhongshan. The protagonist is the former crown prince of Chen, who, at the age of 16, faced a palace coup. A general usurped power and seized the throne, forcing the protagonist to flee Chen and evade pursuit. Tianyu Mountain is the cradle of civilization in this world, the birthplace of Chinese culture, and the source of many legends about gods and demons. To become stronger and reclaim his country, the protagonist decides to find Tianyu Mountain, thus beginning his journey of wandering and growing stronger.

Zhang Tan had carefully studied the script outline last night and had new insights.

"So, do you want to share three points?" Zhang Tan asked.

Luo Ming gestured for him to proceed.

The two talked for the entire morning. In the afternoon, Luo Ming began revising the script again, while Zhang Tan started working on the pet design.

Considering the protagonist's tragic background and somber personality, Zhang Tan decided that the pet should be more playful, like Jiang Rong, to make the story more vivid and interesting.

Secondly, the pet's personality should complement the protagonist's. If the protagonist's personality is side A, the pet's personality should be side B, forming a dual aspect.

For example, when facing a powerful enemy, the protagonist knows he cannot win but must face it, which is side A.

The pet, on the other hand, is afraid of death, cowardly, and wants to run away, which is side B.

Side B is also a part of the protagonist, a hidden aspect.

When facing a powerful enemy, the protagonist also wants to run and feels fear, but these emotions are normal human reactions.

However, as the protagonist, readers expect him to be brave and strong, so he cannot run away. Therefore, the pet can do these things, subtly hinting to the readers and making the protagonist more relatable.

After much consideration, Zhang Tan combined the plot and background and finally determined the pet's design. He drew a quick sketch and handed it to Luo Ming.

"Zouwu?" Luo Ming was quite surprised.

On the paper Zhang Tan handed him, there was a sketch of a very unique mythical creature. It was as large as an elephant, with a tiger's body, sharp claws, four curved, exposed fangs, and a mane that shone when spread out, resembling a ruffled edge. It also had a tail like a peacock's, with multiple colors drawn in simple strokes.

This was a very obscure mythical creature from the "Classic of Mountains and Seas."

Zhang Tan said, "Zouwu has a colorful tail and is extremely destructive wherever it goes."

According to the design, Zouwu looks like a fierce beast but is actually very timid, often cowardly, greedy, and lazy. When the protagonist picks up a toy stick, this seemingly fierce beast instantly switches to a "big-eyed cutie" mode, staring at the small stick and happily wagging its giant tail, showing a "cute contrast."

"Interesting," Luo Ming said with a smile after looking at Zouwu's design.

Zhang Tan explained, "Zouwu is a mythical creature from the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas,' large and tiger-like, with a surprising destructive power. It fits the story's background and can protect the protagonist. However, it also resembles a cat, with a colorful and attractive tail, a proud and greedy personality, which modern people find endearing..."

"Moreover, its complex and hidden nature can serve as a clue."

Zhang Tan pointed to Zouwu's peacock-like tail and said, "Its tail has five colors and is very powerful, capable of destroying enemies' weapons. This is because it has the bloodline of the Peacock King, though diluted, it is still a mysterious and powerful source..."

Luo Ming nodded and said, "It's good. I like it at first glance, and the design seems fine. I'll think about it tonight and confirm it tomorrow."

"Okay."

The day's work ended there.

After work, Zhang Tan was about to go home when Jiang Rong and He Chao were waiting downstairs.

Seeing him come out, Jiang Rong waved enthusiastically.

"What? Waiting for me?" Zhang Tan asked.

Jiang Rong looked him up and down, punched him, and said, "You're okay, Zhang Tan. You left without a word, not even a greeting. Are you not treating us as friends?"

Zhang Tan replied, "I didn't go far. You're on the 8th floor, and I'm on the 9th. It's just a few steps to visit."

Jiang Rong said, "That's different. You've taken a significant step, like a promotion. It's not just a few steps."

He Chao, standing nearby, said enviously, "Zhang Tan, congratulations."

He and Zhang Tan started at the same time, but in less than half a month, Zhang Tan had already moved out of the script evaluation team, equivalent to passing the "internship" period and entering the main track, participating in major projects. He, however, was still a new member, the least experienced in the script evaluation team. Last week, the deputy team leader talked to him, encouraging him to work harder, implying that his current abilities were not sufficient to stand on his own.

Thinking about this, He Chao felt a bit discouraged while congratulating Zhang Tan.

Zhang Tan said, "Thanks, you will get there too."

Jiang Rong said, "Let's go, I'll treat you to dinner to celebrate, and you can tell us about your assistant screenwriter job."

The three had dinner together. Jiang Rong suggested going to a KTV, and she was quite playful. From her appearance and habits, it seemed she came from a well-off family and was a local girl from Pujian.

He Chao couldn't go; he received a call from his girlfriend and had to go back immediately.

Left with Zhang Tan and Jiang Rong, Zhang Tan said, "There are too few people to sing. How about another day? We can invite more friends then."

Jiang Rong said, "It's easy to call people. I can get a group with one call."

However, that would make Zhang Tan feel awkward, as they would all be her friends, and he wouldn't know any of them. Jiang Rong, noticing this, said considerately, "Okay, another day."

They took a taxi to West Chang'an Street, and Zhang Tan walked to the entrance of Little Red Horse Academy, greeting the security guard, Old Li. The academy was brightly lit, and the children's innocent voices echoed in the night.

On the way up, he heard Xiao Bai's particularly loud and penetrating Sichuan accent. She seemed to be arguing with someone, and among the Sichuanese, he heard "guazi," which he looked up online and found to be an insult.

Zhang Tan returned home and hadn't even closed the door when he heard Xiao Bai's voice.

"Uncle, you just got home?"

Is this kid a puppy? She noticed him as soon as he came back.

Zhang Tan smiled and said, "Yes, didn't you play with the other kids?"

I just heard you arguing.

Xiao Bai, wearing her familiar blue Chinese outfit, was leaning against the door, curiously looking at him.

She seemed to have only two sets of clothes, one red and one blue, which she alternated.

"Do you want to play soccer with me?"

"Maybe another time. It's getting dark, and you might fall and get hurt."

If the Chinese national team had your enthusiasm, they wouldn't struggle to leave Asia.

"Claws?" Xiao Bai asked, leaning against the door.

"It's dark, and you can't see the road. You might fall and hurt yourself."

"There are lights. If you fall, you can get up. Oh, you'll cry, won't you?"

This kid, actually mocking me!

Zhang Tan had to use his old excuse again.

"I haven't eaten yet."

"Your claws didn't eat anything?"

"I just got off work. Come in and sit for a bit. I still have some grapes you like."

Zhang Tan invited her in.

Xiao Bai asked suspiciously, "Did you drink?"

"1+1=2."

Xiao Bai immediately relaxed: "Then I'll come in."

"Come in."

He saw Xiao Bai take off her small shoes, revealing a pair of socks with holes. Last time, she was embarrassed, but this time, she wasn't, even saying it was "little ghosts popping out."

This metaphor sounded strange.

Zhang Tan found his work backpack and took out a pair of small slippers, placing them in front of Xiao Bai. "I got you a pair of slippers, so you don't have to walk barefoot."

Xiao Bai looked down at the slippers with a bear pattern, looking very cute, and asked in surprise, "Claws? For Xiao Bai?"

Zhang Tan nodded: "Yes, for you."

"Yay~~ They're new!"

Of course, they're new. I just bought them on the way home.

Xiao Bai picked up the slippers, looking at them with delight, then suddenly her face changed, and she stared at Zhang Tan seriously. "Uncle, what do you want?"

"Huh?" Zhang Tan was puzzled.

"What do you want by buying Xiao Bai slippers?"

Zhang Tan was speechless. Do you think I'm trying to buy you with a pair of slippers? That's too cheap.

"I don't want anything. Last time you came to my place, I didn't have any slippers for you, so I bought a pair on my way home today."

"Oh." Xiao Bai looked at the slippers, really liking them, but...

"I don't want them."

"I know, I know. It's okay if you don't want them."

"Then I'll give them back."

"Put them on. When you come to my place, I should prepare slippers for you. It's not polite to let guests walk barefoot in the house."

Xiao Bai mumbled, "I don't understand what you're saying."

Zhang Tan was speechless: "You don't have to understand, just put them on."

Xiao Bai still didn't put them on, not because she didn't want to, but because she was too precious to wear them.

She held the slippers in her hand, wearing her holey socks, and walked around the house. Suddenly, she remembered something, ran to the door, and picked up a glass bottle she had placed against the wall. She brought it to Zhang Tan and said proudly, "Uncle, look! Xiao Bai caught a 'dingding cat.' No other 'guazi' caught one, only Xiao Bai did. Isn't Xiao Bai amazing?"

"Dingding cat?"

Dingding? Zhang Tan was puzzled, but when he looked, he saw a dragonfly in the glass bottle. This is called a 'dingding cat'?

"Dragonfly, amazing. How did you catch it?"

"I caught it with my hands. It's my specialty."

She sat on a small stool, holding the glass bottle in one hand and digging in her pocket with the other. She pulled out a candy and offered it to Zhang Tan.

This kid is very polite. She never comes empty-handed. Last time, it was a handful of boiled peanuts, and this time, a candy. It's a nice gesture.

Zhang Tan was touched: "You don't have to, just put them on."

Xiao Bai still didn't put them on, not because she didn't want to, but because she was too precious to wear them.

She held the slippers in her hand, wearing her holey socks, and walked around the house. Suddenly, she remembered something, ran to the door, and picked up a glass bottle she had placed against the wall. She brought it to Zhang Tan and said proudly, "Uncle, look! Xiao Bai caught a 'dingding cat.' No other 'guazi' caught one, only Xiao Bai did. Isn't Xiao Bai amazing?"

"Dingding cat?"

Dingding? Zhang Tan was puzzled, but when he looked, he saw a dragonfly in the glass bottle. This is called a 'dingding cat'?

"Dragonfly, amazing. How did you catch it?"

"I caught it with my hands. It's my specialty."

She sat on a small stool, holding the glass bottle in one hand and digging in her pocket with the other. She pulled out a candy and offered it to Zhang Tan, inviting him to eat it.

This kid is very polite. She never comes empty-handed. Last time, it was a handful of boiled peanuts, and this time, a candy. It's a nice gesture.