What is it that you intend to do?

"Is there a newcomer, Teacher Luo?"

At the production studio, people noticed Zhang Tan's new face and began asking Luo Ming, who was nearby.

"This is Zhang Tan, a very talented young man. He is now my screenwriting assistant. Please look after him."

Luo Ming introduced him this way to everyone he met. Zhang Tan would pause, nodding and smiling at the others. Some would respond and walk away, while others would stop to chat for a moment.

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

Luo Ming was not a department head, but as a senior screenwriter, he was always assigned an office whenever he joined a production team, which served as the base for the screenwriting group. Because Luo Ming was highly capable and worked on many projects, the studio eventually stopped rotating his workspace and simply assigned him this permanent office.

"This will be your office from now on. For now, it's just the two of us," Luo Ming said.

A computer and desk were already set up in the twenty-square-meter room.

"Thank you," Zhang Tan replied.

Luo Ming waved his hand, sat down heavily, and gestured for Zhang Tan to do the same.

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

The story of *Under Mount Tianyu* was set in a fictional feudal era based on ancient Chinese mythology. It was a land of many kingdoms, including major powers like Wei, Zhou, and Chu, as well as smaller states like Chen and Zhongshan. The protagonist was the former crown prince of the Chen state. At sixteen, he suffered a coup d'état when a general usurped the throne and seized the country. The protagonist fled, spending his time evading assassins. Mount Tianyu was the ancestral cradle of this world’s civilization, where Chinese culture was brewed and from where many legends of gods and demons originated. To become strong enough to reclaim his country, the protagonist decided to seek out Mount Tianyu, beginning his journey of wandering and growing in strength.

Zhang Tan had carefully studied the script outline the previous night and had some new thoughts.

"May I share three points?" Zhang Tan asked.

Luo Ming gestured for him to proceed.

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

Considering the protagonist's tragic background and somber personality, Zhang Tan decided the pet had to be comedic, like Jiang Rong, to make the story more lively and interesting.

Secondly, the pet's personality had to complement the protagonist's. If the protagonist was "Side A," the pet should be "Side B"—two sides of the same coin.

For example, when facing a powerful enemy, the protagonist might know he is outmatched but must stand his ground; that is Side A.

The pet, however, might be cowardly and want to run away; that is Side B.

Side B is actually a part of the protagonist as well—his hidden, potential side. Confronted with a strong foe, he also feels fear and wants to run. These emotions are not absent; they are the normal desires and fears of any human. But because he is the protagonist, readers want to see him be heroic, righteous, and brave. He cannot be shown running away, so the pet expresses these feelings instead. This serves as a subtle hint to the reader, making the protagonist feel more human and fleshed out.

After much deliberation, Zhang Tan finalized the pet's design based on the plot and background. He made a sketch and handed it to Luo Ming.

"A Zouwu?" Luo Ming asked, quite surprised.

On the paper Zhang Tan gave him was a sketch of a very peculiar creature. It was as large as an elephant, with the body of a tiger, sharp claws, four curved fangs, and a mane that shimmered like lotus petals when spread out. It also had a tail like that of a peacock, which Zhang Tan had colored in with crayons.

It was an obscure creature from the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*.

Zhang Tan explained, "The Zouwu has a brightly colored tail, and wherever it goes, it leaves a trail of great destruction."

According to the design, the Zouwu looked like a fierce beast but was actually timid, gluttonous, lazy, and tsundere. When the protagonist held a cat wand, this seemingly ferocious creature would instantly switch to "big-eyed cute mode," staring blankly at the little stick and happily wagging its giant tail—a perfect "gap moe."

"Interesting," Luo Ming said, smiling as he reviewed the design.

Zhang Tan added, "The Zouwu is a mythical beast from the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*. It’s huge, tiger-like, and devastatingly powerful, which fits the story's setting and provides protection for the protagonist. Yet, it resembles a house cat, and its colorful tail is endearing. It’s tsundere and greedy, and since modern people love cats, they will naturally identify with it... Plus, its origins are complex and hidden, which can serve as a plot thread."

Zhang Tan pointed to the peacock-like tail. "Its tail has five colors and immense power; it can deflect an enemy's weapon. This is because it carries the bloodline of the Peacock Wisdom King. Though thin, the source is mysterious and powerful."

Luo Ming nodded. "It’s quite good. At the very least, I liked it at first glance; it appeals to me. The setting seems fine, too. How about this: I’ll think about it tonight, and we’ll make a final decision when we get to work tomorrow."

"Understood."

And so, the day's work came to an end.

After clocking out, Zhang Tan was about to head home when he saw Jiang Rong and He Chao standing downstairs. Seeing him come out, Jiang Rong waved enthusiastically.

"What's this? Waiting for me?" Zhang Tan asked.

Jiang Rong looked him up and down and gave him a playful punch. "Not bad, Zhang Tan! Leaving without a word, not even saying goodbye. Don't you treat us as friends?"

Zhang Tan replied, "I didn't go far. You're on the eighth floor, I'm on the ninth. It's just a couple of steps to visit."

Jiang Rong said, "That's different. You took a crucial step upward—a promotion, effectively. Is that just a 'couple of steps'?"

He Chao added with a hint of envy, "Congratulations, Zhang Tan."

He had joined at the same time as Zhang Tan, but in less than half a month, Zhang Tan had jumped out of the script evaluation group, essentially passing his "probation" and moving on to major projects. He, however, was still a newcomer, the least experienced in the evaluation group. The assistant lead had talked to him last week, encouraging him to work harder—a polite way of saying he wasn't yet capable enough to stand on his own. Thinking of this, He Chao felt a bit discouraged despite his congratulations.

Zhang Tan said, "Thanks, you guys will get there sooner or later."

Jiang Rong said, "Come on, let me treat you to dinner to celebrate, and you can tell us about your work as a screenwriting assistant."

The three had dinner together. Jiang Rong suggested going to karaoke. She was a girl who knew how to have a good time; given her usual attire and habits, she likely came from a well-off local family in Pujiang.

He Chao couldn't make it; he received a call from his girlfriend and had to rush off.

Left with only Jiang Rong, Zhang Tan said, "It's not fun singing with so few people. How about another time? We can invite more friends then."

Jiang Rong replied, "That's easy. I can call a bunch with one phone call."

However, Zhang Tan realized that would be awkward—they were all her friends, and he wouldn't know a soul. Jiang Rong clearly realized this too, and said considerately, "Alright then, another day."

After taking a taxi and getting off at West Chang'an Street, Zhang Tan walked to the entrance of the Little Red Horse Academy. He greeted Old Li, the security guard. The academy was brightly lit, and the voices of children drifted through the night air.

As he went upstairs, he heard Xiao Bai’s distinct, penetrating Sichuan-accented Mandarin. She seemed to be arguing with someone again. Among the many Sichuan phrases, he heard "gua wazi" (idiot). Zhang Tan had looked it up online yesterday; it was an insult.

Zhang Tan returned home. Before he could even close the door, Xiao Bai’s voice came from the threshold.

"Uncle, you just getting home now?"

Is this kid a puppy? She found him the moment he arrived.

Zhang Tan smiled and said, "That's right. Didn't you play with the other kids?"

He had just heard her arguing, after all.

Little Xiao Bai was wearing her familiar blue "Great China" outfit, leaning on the door frame and looking at him curiously. She seemed to have only two outfits—one red, one blue—which she wore in rotation.

"You wanna play soccer with me?"

"Maybe not. It's getting dark; you'll trip."

If the Chinese men's national team had your enthusiasm, they wouldn't have to worry about failing to make it out of Asia.

"Why not?" Xiao Bai asked from the door frame.

"It's dark, you can't see the road clearly, and it's easy to fall. It hurts, you know."

"There's lights! If you fall, you just get back up. Oh, I forgot, you'd cry like a baby."

This little one! She even knew how to mock him!

Zhang Tan had to use his old excuse again.

"I haven't eaten dinner yet."

"Why you haven't eaten your food yet?"

"I just got off work. Come in and sit for a bit? You haven't finished the grapes you like yet."

Zhang Tan extended the invitation.

Xiao Bai asked guardedly, "Did you drink alcohol?"

"1+1=2."

Xiao Bai was immediately reassured. "Then I'm coming in."

"Come on in."

He watched as Xiao Bai took off her little shoes, revealing a pair of socks with holes in them. Last time he felt embarrassed, but this time he didn't, even joking that they were "little ghosts poking their heads out."

It was a strange metaphor.

Zhang Tan found his backpack, took out a pair of small slippers, and placed 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. They had a little bear pattern on them and looked very cute. She asked in surprise, "Why? For Xiao Bai to wear?"

Zhang Tan nodded. "That's right, for you."

"Hee hee! They're new!"

He had just bought them on the way home, so of course they were new.

Xiao Bai picked up the slippers, looking at them with delight. Suddenly, her expression changed. She stared at Zhang Tan seriously and asked, "Uncle, what are you trying to do?"

"Huh?" Zhang Tan was puzzled.

"You bought shoes for Xiao Bai, what are you trying to do?"

Zhang Tan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Did she think he was trying to bribe her with a pair of slippers? She was way too cheap if that were the case.

"I'm not trying to do anything. When you visited last time, I didn't have any slippers for you, so I just bought a pair on my way home today."

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

"I don't want your things."

"I know, I know. It's fine if you don't."

"Then I'll give them back."

"Wear them! When you visit, I have to have slippers for you. It's not polite to let guests walk around barefoot."

Xiao Bai muttered, "Don't know what you're saying."

Zhang Tan shook his head in amusement. "You don't need to know. Just put them on."

Xiao Bai still didn't put them on. It wasn't that she didn't want to—she just couldn't bear to wear them yet.

She held the slippers in her hands and walked around the room in her holey socks. Suddenly remembering something, she ran to the door, picked up a glass jar she had left against the wall, and brought it to Zhang Tan. She said proudly, "Look, Uncle! Xiao Bai caught a dragonfly! None of the other idiots caught one, only Xiao Bai. Isn't Xiao Bai super amazing?"

"A dragonfly?" Zhang Tan asked, looking at the jar.

"Yeah, amazing! How did you catch it?"

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

She sat on a small stool, holding the glass jar with one hand while digging into her pocket with the other. She pulled out a piece of candy and offered it to him.

This kid was very polite. Every time she visited, she never came empty-handed. Before it was boiled peanuts; now it was a piece of candy. It was the thought that counted, and it was truly sweet.