The Little Prince's Starry Night
On Wednesday morning, Zhiwei and May went to the studio together. After Maggie arrived, she told them, "The client has already reviewed the design and chosen the second option, which will also have the same color scheme. The contract was signed yesterday, but the deadline is tight; they require it to be completed within two months. This afternoon, we'll take the engineering team to the site again to start scheduling and arranging for materials."
The initial demolition and renovation work, including pipework, had little to do with Zhiwei; May, on the other hand, was constantly busy. Zhiwei logged into the renovation system, found the design plan for this project, copied it, and began experimenting with different color combinations.
Although she came up with a few ideas last time, she has time now to try more combinations. Even if she doesn't use them this time, she can try them in other projects in the future. She saves the combinations that look good.
Zhiwei was deeply attracted to this project. After completing her assigned tasks, she began to use her system privileges to conduct an interesting experiment. She copied the project plan, assuming different homeowners, and tried completely different styles.
This experiment captivated her. To gain more inspiration, she even mustered the courage to go to a music bar with May and her friends. The deafening music and hazy lights made her uncomfortable, but also allowed her to experience the unrestrained atmosphere more vividly. That night, a companion mischievously ordered strong liquor disguised as tea as they left. Fortunately, Zhiwei's caution and the warnings from the people Li Fuqiang had sent to protect her prevented them from falling victim. This experience left her fearful and made her more aware of the hidden dangers in this glamorous world.
Two days later, Zhiwei received an email saying that they were going to choose flooring and paint the following Wednesday, and that if she was free, she could go directly to the flooring supplier's place at 10 a.m. that day to meet up.
This methodical, early planning is quite novel for Zhiwei, an art student who is free-spirited. Presumably, since engineering projects require coordination of many people, this approach is also to ensure the project progresses smoothly.
On Monday morning, after finishing her modern painting class, Zhiwei packed her bag and went out, only to see Li Fuqiang again. She thought that after what they had agreed on last week, he would be curious and wouldn't need to waste time on campus anymore.
Seeing him follow her out of the classroom, she could only say something half-heartedly, "Mr. Li, I thought you were so busy that you wouldn't have time to come to class anymore."
"I didn't have much to do, so I just came over to hang out. I noticed that some students who chose Wednesday's classes didn't seem to be attending."
Zhiwei had chosen a course before Wednesday, but due to a conflict with her internship, she specifically asked a classmate for help. She made up the assignments that were due and skipped class, but unexpectedly, her "classmate" found out.
She stuck out her tongue and said, "I have to go to my internship on Wednesdays and Thursdays this semester, so I'm secretly skipping classes. I hope the professor doesn't find out."
Seeing her charming appearance, Li Fuqiang was in a good mood. "How about next time if the professor calls roll, I'll answer for you?" Zhiwei imagined that if the professor saw a big, burly middle-aged man named "Vivian" during roll call, he would probably faint from fright. She couldn't help but show an exaggerated expression of horror.
Li Fuqiang smiled and said, "Found an internship? What does it involve?"
Speaking of this, Zhiwei perked up, "May and I, oh, my roommate, were working at an architecture studio, helping out on a house renovation project. The house was so beautiful, near Central Park. It was designed for an art-loving lady who loves to paint, it was so much fun."
"May and I have also set a new goal for ourselves: to use this same house to design house styles that people from different backgrounds might like. Like young couples, rock musicians, female models, and so on."
Li Fuqiang thought that this was probably why the two of them had suddenly gone to a bar. "Where do you meet clients like this?"
“It’s a bit difficult, so I’ll watch some movies and TV shows to find the real-life inspirations. We’ll also go to music bars and chat with rock musicians.” Zhiwei suddenly remembered the fright she experienced that night and stopped.
Seeing that it was almost time, Zhiwei hurriedly said goodbye as she rushed to her next class. Li Fuqiang watched her retreating figure thoughtfully.
Zhiwei and Michael went to the paint supplier and picked up some paint samples. Because the color differences were very subtle, they needed to mix the colors themselves. This part was mainly done by Zhiwei, while Michael noted down the detailed proportions of the different colors and applied them to the white base.
For each color needed, they mixed several shades in different tones, numbered them, applied them, and after they dried, the supplier would send them back to the studio.
Zhiwei was wondering why it was so complicated, and Michael told her, "After these samples are dried, we need to take them to the studio and compare them under different lighting and weather conditions to see which one works best."
There were so many intricacies involved! It's true what they say, "What you learn from books is never enough; you must put it into practice to truly understand." Zhiwei even felt that this internship, even if it was free, was a great opportunity for her, because she had gained a lot of work experience she had never had before.
After choosing the paint and applying the sample, they returned to the studio. May and Maggie went to check on the construction progress. Zhiwei, having nothing else to do, updated the rock musician's house design that she and May had conceived over the weekend into the renovation system.
She remembered Anthony, the bassist of the rock band she'd met with May at a bar. She replaced the warm, muted Morandi colors with cool cement gray and black, transformed the kitchen island into a small stage, and researched and added professional sound-absorbing materials to the walls and ceiling. When she saved this hardcore industrial-style design, she felt a surge of creative joy.
Having completed this project, Zhiwei wondered if her next project should be about a model girl venturing into New York. However, she didn't know anyone like that, probably even harder to find than a rock musician.
Although they had chosen the paint, the design for the roof's glow-in-the-dark effect was not yet finalized. Because of concerns about the health effects of glow-in-the-dark paint, Zhiwei didn't plan on large areas of color; she only intended to use it to create a starry sky effect. She needed to work on the specific design further, but fortunately, there was still plenty of time.
With nothing to do, she looked at various ceiling and dome designs, but most of them were magnificent church domes. After all, most domes are meant to be viewed during the day, but her designs couldn't have large patterns.
She suddenly had an idea: she could dip her paintbrush in glow-in-the-dark paint and randomly flick dots onto the ceiling, like a sky full of stars. Then she could draw a crescent moon, and maybe even a small planet with the Little Prince and his rose on it.
She just didn't know at what stage of construction this would take, and how to ensure that other areas wouldn't be affected. She had also tried splashing paint before, but the texture of oil paint is different from regular paint. Finding the right consistency to splash it easily without it dripping messily from the ceiling was also a challenge.
Sure enough, when it comes to engineering, there are many practical issues to consider. As evening approached the end of the workday, May and Maggie returned home. Zhiwei then went home with May. On the way, she discussed this problem with May.
May chimed in, "If you think it's difficult, then give it a try. We're going to check on the progress at the house tomorrow. I saw that the paint on the walls has been scraped off, but the ceiling hasn't been touched yet. Why don't you just take your stuff and give it a go? Anyway, we'll have to scrape it off and redo it later, so it doesn't matter how you paint it."
Zhiwei, who was worried about not having a place to conduct experiments, was delighted to hear this. She brought the glow-in-the-dark paint and tools to the construction site. The house had been completely transformed; after the walls were removed, the space was bright and open. She put on work clothes and, under Michael's guidance, repeatedly adjusted the consistency of the paint. She climbed a ladder and tried to create a natural starry sky effect on the ceiling by flicking the brush.
After several failures, she finally found the right proportions and method. She painted along the imagined trajectory of the Milky Way, creating a hazy band of stars, and then, in a corner above the studio, she carefully sketched the silhouette of the Little Prince and his rose.
May walked over, looked up and exclaimed in amazement, "Is that the Milky Way? It's so beautiful!"
Zhiwei asked happily, "Do you think it looks like the Milky Way?"
May said, "Actually, I haven't seen the Milky Way much, but I've seen photos of the starry sky and it looks quite similar."
Yes, they are all children who grew up in big cities. Unless they are traveling and specifically go to see the stars, they rarely get to see such a vast starry sky. Having a roof like this would make up for it a little.
Zhiwei continued painting her crescent moon. Moving to the rooftop near the studio, she meticulously depicted a small planet in a corner, with the back of a little boy looking at the Milky Way and the crescent moon, and the silhouette of a rose beside him.
After finishing the drawing, she took a picture of the roof so she could take a closer look later and see where adjustments were needed.
May saw her taking pictures, came over and said, "Ah, it's so beautiful, I really can't bear to take it down."
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