"Put that thing away!"

The story is set during the Cultural Revolution in 1970s China. A university student from Shanghai, who has been exiled to work in a coastal fishing village, encounters the daughter of the village chief. She is a Haipengzi diver (a female fisherwoman who collects seafood by freediving). Due to the Cultural Revolution, she only managed to complete half of her high school education before all the schools were shut down in 1966, so both she and her father hope that a man will educate her so that she can later strive to become a Worker-Peasant-Soldier student in university. Meanwhile, the man is particularly curious about her life, especially her experiences with the sea and freediving.

Made by Sora

Prompt: { In a watercolor painting style reminiscent of 1980s China, the scene unfolds on a sunlit beach with a vast expanse of soft golden sand and a gentle, rhythmic tide lapping at the water's edge. The bright, natural sunlight reflects off the shimmering ocean and bathes the characters in a warm glow.

A handsome 25-year-old Chinese man in glasses stands near the water's edge. His slender, delicate frame and refined demeanor contribute to his scholarly air, as he is dressed in a crisp white collared shirt with rolled-up sleeves paired with long pants. His cautious expression reveals his surprise as he watches the woman.

A beautiful 25-year-old Chinese woman stands barefoot on the warm sand, her red swimsuit clinging to her as she is drenched from the sea. With her wet, shoulder-length hair framing her face, she exudes a mix of focus and playful delight. She extends one hand toward the man holding a dead octopus, while her other hand rests confidently on her hip. On one of her thigh, a one and only strap is securely bound, adding a touch of intrigue to her appearance. A dagger neatly sheathed in its scabbard, and this scabbard is securely attched to this thigh strap. Her black diving mask is carefully placed on her forehead, and a belt cinches her waist, accentuating her poised yet adventurous demeanor.

The man, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected offering, gazes at the octopus with a hint of fear. He instinctively raises both hands in a blocking gesture while his eyes lock onto hers. Despite the unusual circumstance, there is an unspoken connection between them, as the lively scene on the beach—accented by the reflective play of sunlight on water and sand—echoes the vibrant interplay of emotions and gentle humor between the pair.

Behind them, in the distance, a quaint fishing village adds a rustic charm to the backdrop, its low-rise buildings and weathered boats hinting at a simple coastal life. Above, the vast sky carries the distant shadows of seabirds gracefully gliding, completing the idyllic coastal setting reminiscent of a bygone artistic era.

They are engaged in a silent conversation, their expressions combining surprise, curiosity, and a dash of playful tension within this rich, evocative scene. }