The Versatile Master Artist

Koukou took out her phone from her pocket, opened Instagram, and clicked on the profile named ”Shengzi” on her follow list.

”Have you heard about the ’Shwedagon Pagoda Fresco Restoration’ project? It’s Myanmar’s most important project this year to boost its international image, led by Master Painter Cao Xuan.”

She stuck out her tongue, ”During winter break, my father even received orders to specifically strengthen police patrols in the Great Golden Pagoda District. When this world-class artist arrived at the airport, several high-ranking ministers personally showed up. It was very grand.”

Koukou’s father is a senior police officer in Yangon and is naturally aware of such important government projects.

”Mr. Cao Xuan?”

Mona lightly wrinkled her nose.

Even though she doesn’t paint Chinese paintings, the influence of Elder Cao’s name in the Asian art scene is as well-known as The Beatles in the rock world.

However, aside from surprise, she didn’t feel much else in her heart.

This kind of art godfather is really too far away from her everyday life.

Far enough that Mona, rationally, couldn’t even feel longing.

”What does this have to do with Koizumi Katsuko transferring here?”

”She mentioned on her Instagram wall that she’s one of the 47 invited artists to the project, and she’s only a teenager, already able to work with someone as important as Cao Xuan. Hmph... I need to seize the opportunity, even if I can’t win over this chick, I should at least get one of her original drawings.”

Koukou stared at the easel in front of her, her eyes shining like a cat seeing a fish.

”This is the gold mine right in front of us. In ten or twenty years, if Miss Sakai becomes an internationally renowned painter, one painting might exchange for a house with a garden.”

Mona looked at the easel, where people kept stopping to admire it, and sighed in her heart.

The class disparity is so vividly displayed in front of this proud female student council president.

Everyone is the same age, wearing the same school uniforms, painting in the same studio.

Even Mona is a prominent figure admired by many at school.

But she clearly knows,

this is just a brief intersection of Miss Sakai’s destined trajectory with the ordinary paths of people like them.

Mona’s life plan is to become a well-off, elegant lady of leisure, marry a decent husband, have two children, and live a laid-back, sophisticated lifestyle.

But with Koizumi Katsuko’s painting talent, her family background, and the opportunities she can seize,

the spotlight of the world art scene is just waiting for her not too far in the future.

All she needs to do is move forward step by step.

Fate always bestows special favors on certain people.

”Mona, I’ve been looking for you everywhere, are you here?”

A furry arm suddenly draped over Mona’s shoulder, interrupting her thoughts and feelings.

Mona turned around and saw the tall figure of Jerry.

Jerry’s blonde hair shone dazzlingly in the sunlight.

His natural hair color isn’t blond, but he likes to showcase his half ”noble” German blood among his Myanmar classmates.

So, his hair is always dyed blond.

It’s proven that many girls at school find his look very sexy.

Besides that, Jerry’s life habits are very European.

Every day before school, he sprays a generous amount of custom cologne on his shoulders, collar, or underarms.

Jerry believes this makes him smell ”Strong” and exude the masculinity of a foreign man.

At that moment, Mona felt enveloped by a strong scent of fermented herbs.

She resisted the urge to sneeze, took a step back, and shrugged off the arm on her shoulder.

”Do you need something?” she asked, frowning.

”Miss Mona, may I invite you to the cat café this afternoon? They have seven adorable British Shorthair cats there.”

Jerry’s face showed a bright, affectionate smile.

Seeing that Mona didn’t look interested, he felt a bit disappointed, but quickly added, ”This isn’t a date, just a social service project introduced by my father. There’s a college student film crew planning to shoot a microfilm about newly-adopted stray cats, which will be uploaded on YouTube. These kinds of social activities are a bonus for university applications. I also have a spot for the female lead role in the microfilm.”

Jerry’s tone was tempting.

Many foreign universities require a minimum number of social service hours for applications.

Generally, you can get by by getting a certificate from an agency and a stamp from a partnered NGO, which counts as qualified.

The microfilm Jerry mentioned exceeds the usual qualifications.

It’s considered as an extra bonus.

If the microfilm gets tens of thousands of views, it could even be highlighted on a resume as having ”a certain social influence.”

Especially with the theme of animal protection.

Admissions teams at foreign prestigious universities really favor this kind of social activity, saving you a lot of trouble when applying for college.

”Sorry, Jerry, I want to keep working on my portfolio in the studio this afternoon, it’s not very convenient.”

Mona indeed had a moment of temptation but still refused.

Going to a pet store to shoot a microfilm, how is that different from a date?

Mona is not naive about Jerry’s intentions, as he is a popular playboy on campus well-liked by girls.