The Versatile Master Artist

An uproar ensued.

Everyone was looking at that extra spot, unsure of what to think.

Some were oblivious, some envious, and some absolutely couldn’t accept it.

”What’s going on here?”

”This is so unfair, what does this extra person count for?”

”Maybe her work is exceptionally good?”

”Exceptionally good? Hmph, this is obviously added later. I also think my work is exceptionally good. Why can’t Professor Cruz give me an extra spot?”

Standing by, Koukou fiddled with her hair with her fingertips, discontentedly tossing a piece of bubble gum into her mouth.

Her painting skills were limited, and she knew that the chance for the advanced class, which was only offered to a select few in the school, was unlikely to include her. She was here just to watch the excitement.

At this moment, seeing luck fall onto Mona from the sky, Koukou muttered softly in dissatisfaction.

But Mona could no longer be bothered with these things.

She looked at the extra name at the bottom of the list, covering her mouth with her hand, unable to hold back her tears.

At that moment,

Mona finally felt that the humiliation she experienced in Mrs. Sakai’s office that day had been adequately compensated.

”Mrs. Cruz actually remembered my name.”

She felt there was no other reasonable explanation for this.

Obviously, Mrs. Sakai, with harsh words but a soft heart, remembered her preemptive visit to the office even if the professor was verbally strict. It ultimately left a good impression.

Life is sometimes like this.

If you put in a bit more effort at the right time, in the right way, your fate might change because of it.

On the contrary, the always-excellent Gu Weijing made the wrong choice at the last moment despite his years of hard work.

Thus,

Their lives stepped onto vastly different paths at the divide.

Mona felt a faint sense of melancholy, but more than that, excitement and joy. She knew that from today onward, a brighter and more straightforward future awaits her.

Being a student of Mrs. Sakai, regardless of how much improvement she gains through a semester of guidance, one thing is certain—

With this relationship with the great artist, whether in her studies or career, she is already on a fast track.

One step slow, step by step slow.

Whether it’s Gu Weijing or the other surrounding classmates, it’s almost impossible for them to catch up with her now.

In the painting industry, connections matter more than effort, mentors matter more than talent. Having a titan’s wife as a mentor definitely saves many years of hard work.

This is both cruel and fair.

The opportunity was in front of everyone, but unfortunately, Mona seized it, and her boyfriend did not.

”We are no longer people of the same world.”

Mona thought to herself, sighed, and felt that considering Gu Weijing as her lifelong partner in the past was truly a naive thought.

”Congratulations, Mona. Let’s have dinner together tonight, all the students selected by Professor Cruz should gather and get to know each other. I’ll treat, my dad can reserve a nice Italian restaurant in the Embassy District.”

Jerry sent an invitation, his face full of elite arrogance.

”In the future, we’ll support each other on the road to becoming artists...”

”Becoming artists... Don’t be ridiculous, Mr. Jerry Conrad, this is the funniest joke I’ve heard today.”

A voice said lightly.

Jerry’s eyebrows raised slightly, and a wave of displeasure flashed across his face.

Saying such disappointing things at this moment was obviously asking for trouble.

Yet the voice spoke nonchalantly, continuing to say more mocking lines in a cold tone.

”You’re just generals among dwarfs, what qualifications do you have to discuss art?”

In the crowd, no one had the courage to voice any objections.

Even the irritated Jerry, upon seeing clearly who was speaking, immediately composed himself and lowered his head respectfully.

The newcomer was dressed in a light brown Chanel single-button blazer and white classic flared pants, paired with two-inch beige Prada high heels, holding a pair of dark sunglasses, and scanned them without expression.

The whole person exuded an ingrained arrogance.

”Good afternoon, you six frogs in a well. I am to be your teacher for the next semester. I won’t say welcome to my advanced class, because frankly, I don’t enjoy teaching mediocre people like you at all.”

Mrs. Sakai crossed her arms.

Mona and the others were stunned, having just been selected by Professor Cruz to become her students, only to now be belittled as worthless.

Mrs. Sakai gestured with the frame of her sunglasses at Fitz’s students around her, ”Look at your classmates around you, you should thank them. Because of their poor performance, I have no choice but to select you as my students. If I had the option, in the art world—compared to those truly awe-inspiring geniuses, I wouldn’t even have the interest to glance at you.”

Though Mrs. Sakai came from a family of artists earning in the millions of US dollars, these students, who in the past were considered by classmates to have drawing skills far superior to others, felt somewhat uncomfortable.

”Real talent... Professor, although we come from small places, we’ve been diligent and surely aren’t that bad.”