The Versatile Master Artist

Friday,

Afternoon.

In the long shaded corridor, shadows flitted about.

Students gathered around the bulletin board, whispering, their eyes eager like bachelors in the old days waiting for a rich family’s daughter’s embroidered ball to be thrown at them.

”Guess who will be picked by Professor Cruz.”

”Miao Angwen? Gu Weijing? Maire?”

Someone casually mentioned a few outstanding students at school who consistently ranked at the top of various subjects, with painting skills noticeably better than ordinary classmates.

”Those few should be secure, but the remaining spots are hard to say.”

”What about Mona and Koukou.”

A guy mentioned the names of the prettiest girls at school.

The male students on campus were originally divided into two factions, one believed Mona was a goddess, and the other thought Koukou was hotter.

Even if a more popular transfer student came to school, the supporters of these two figures were still numerous.

”Koukou definitely has no chance. Unless her family can pull some strings... Unfortunately, her father may have power locally in Yangon as a small-time emperor, but in the eyes of international-known big-shot artists’ wives, he’s probably nothing.”

”What about Mona, our student council president has straight A’s too.”

Miss Mona actually didn’t do poorly in her academic scores every year, ranking among the top at school just based on the transcript.

”She’s just very serious about her work, which leaves a good impression on teachers in cultural subjects, but her painting is quite ordinary. I heard that many professional course assignments in previous years were done by Gu Weijing for her... Speaking of Mona, I recall that school team captain Jerry who confessed to her at the opening ceremony, teachers have always praised his good talent, and he seems to have worked hard for the past half a year...”

A girl was quietly gossiping.

”Envy, envy, if I had known that Professor Cruz would come to our school, I would have practiced hard in the studio, so unwilling!”

This student’s resentful tone expressed many students’ feelings.

Nothing is more regrettable in life.

Just like in the children’s story, everyone was originally small-town washer girls, and one day fate unexpectedly opens the door to you.

The crystal pumpkin carriage stops at the door, but you can only pitifully watch other Cinderellas jump onto the carriage heading towards the crossroads of life.

Professor Cruz is this magical carriage with the power to change fate.

In the past, the atmosphere at the international school never favored the nerds who did well in studies, cultural and professional courses getting A’s.

They were more passionate about becoming leaders of clubs, players of school teams, or the lead singers of student bands, relatively ”cool” students.

The campus atmosphere was rather joyful, many spent more energy on club activities than practicing their main subjects.

For most Fitz students in Yangon, the artistic dream of becoming a professional painter seemed quite distant.

Their family background was generally good, if not aiming for top schools, the study pressure wasn’t high.

But no one expected,

In the last semester on campus, there would be an art giant like Mrs. Sakai visiting the school.

Such a golden ladder from heaven was placed closely in front of them.

Most could only watch as it slipped away with open eyes.

Though opportunities are always for those prepared.

But it’s still so unwilling in the heart!

”It’s out, it’s out, the list is out.” Someone shouted.

At this time, at the most eye-catching location of the bulletin board, the principal of Fitz had already removed the previous year’s campus club promotional wall the day after Mrs. Sakai came to school.

The principal childishly ordered a wooden road sign, with a large floral slogan on top of the arrow reading [Gifted and Talented Class - Path to the Hall of Arts]

Below the arrow were five blank plaques representing the final selection list.

To show importance, the school also made a plastic advertisement display with a full-body photo of Mrs. Sakai next to it, combined with the floral slogan on the side, looking like a tacky promotion activity at some supermarket.

People turned their heads to look.

Student council president Miss Mona, leading a school worker in uniform, expressionlessly separated the crowded students and walked to the bulletin board between them.

”Right there.”

Mona pointed at the wooden sign, with a hint of tension in her voice.

The school worker nodded.

The middle-aged man took out a hammer and nails from his bag and then picked up a plaque with the student’s name, beginning to hammer it onto the sign beside the bulletin board.

”Who’s the first?”

Many held their breath.

Even if the opportunity was destined to have nothing to do with most who excelled in studies, they still gathered here, wanting to know who, in the eyes of a real artist, was the best on campus.

[1, Miao Angwen]

At the top, one of the names many guessed appeared.

A tall, skinny boy with dark skin and thick-rimmed glasses swung his fist hard.

”I’m the best in school, some people act all stuck-up, really thinking they’re great artists, no wonder his girlfriend won’t want him.”

Miao Angwen grinned, looking at his name hang at the top of the list, his tone a bit sarcastic.

”Congratulations, congratulations.”

The surrounding students showed knowing smiles, some glancing at the student council president.

They all knew who Miao was mocking.

Miao Angwen was one of the school’s top students.

In many aspects, he and Gu Weijing were quite similar.