The Versatile Master Artist

”Working with a renowned studio like Villerein, all you can ever do is add a touch of brilliance. But if you can cultivate an unknown yet exceptionally talented Detective Cat into the next Villerein Studio, or even the next Van Doorn, the next Jian Anuo, or the next Andy Warhol, then Director Schubert, you will forever be a part of this remarkable story.”

Schubert remained silent, silent, always silent.

His face alternated between pale and flushed, his fists clenched tightly, lost in thought.

”Moreover, if you become the art director, the stock options you get alone would be several times your current income.”

Osborne exhaled a smoke ring and said nonchalantly.

This seemed to be the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

Schubert finally capitulated.

”Alright, Osborne, you have me on your side now.”

The veins at the corner of the vice art director’s eyes pulsed slightly, as if he had made some sort of decision.

”Let me clarify first, I’m not really that concerned about the money, things like stock options... they’re not the be-all and end-all for me. After all, I’m already considered part of the company’s management, and even though there’s not much extra income on a daily basis, the basic salary isn’t low.”

Schubert forced a smile, gazing at the illustration on the computer screen.

”It was this painting that moved me.”

”The painting is truly beautiful.” He touched the computer screen with his hand, licking his lips. ”It’s a masterpiece.”

”I really don’t want to spend my days throwing darts in the office until I retire. You said something right; the creator of this painting is indeed a genius. Perhaps her chances of becoming the next Andy Warhol are even lower than being struck by lightning, but life needs some hope, doesn’t it?”

He exhaled a long breath.

For someone who could climb to this position, even if Schubert was timid, how could he not have a little ambition in his heart?

Osborne hopes Detective Cat can become the next Andy Warhol, so how could Schubert not hope to become the next Old Buddha, a unique art director with a keen eye for talent, creating an era of his own?

”3, 2, 1, submit.”

The chubby assistant, in front of them, submitted Detective Cat’s draft samples to the art department through the system’s backend.

Schubert entered his account and password, pressed the F5 refresh key, found the approval task sent by The Little Prince project team in the system, and immediately took the file with his vice director privileges.

[The artist performed excellently, the use of color is innovative, the contrast of light and dark is unified and harmonious, it meets the requirements of The Little Prince project, approval granted.]

Schubert affixed his electronic signature on the taskbar terminal.

Taking a deep breath, under Osborne’s gaze, he pressed the Enter key with a slightly trembling hand.

Then he slowly leaned back against the chair.

Schubert knew that with his ”double-dealing,” his fate was now tied to this Detective Cat and President Osborne, leaving him with no retreat.

”Boss, I rely on you to take care of me.” Schubert didn’t know if he would regret this in the future.

”Pleasure working with you.”

Osborne’s face remained calm, but his heart was filled with joy.

Being able to plant a loyal pawn within the ironclad art department.

This was a great help for him, the vice president as well.

Anna’s recommendation of this Detective Cat,

truly was quite extraordinary.

Osborne thought silently.

...

Gu Weijing returned from the orphanage on Saturday evening and saw a payment reminder on his phone from the blond guy at Meiquan Palace Office.

[Lady Detective Cat:]

[Your first contract advance payment, totaling $36,000, has been transferred to your designated account—Personal financial advisor, Daisen Leon.]

”$36,000?”

Gu Weijing was taken aback.

Mr. Tree Sloth had mentioned the contract details with the Scholastic Group, but when he actually saw such a large sum of money transferred into his account.

Gu Weijing still felt a bit unreal.

He repeatedly confirmed, making sure he hadn’t misread a digit, and the currency was indeed US Dollar, not something like Myanmar Kyat.

He discovered that, sure enough, there was a large transfer into his newly opened international account.

Even for someone like Gu Weijing, who didn’t weigh money heavily, felt a bit dizzy.

”The first payment is already so much.”

He asked his new agent, Mr. Tree Sloth: ”I haven’t officially submitted the manuscript yet, have I?”

”I’ve secured 24% of the advance payment for you. The contract includes dozens of complex illustrations, the cover artwork alone accounts for $25,000, and the average price for each of the remaining illustrations isn’t that high.”

Mr. Tree Sloth replied: ”A copy of the contract should have already been sent to your email, you can have a good look. The Scholastic Group hopes you can submit your works as soon as possible, and if you can submit all the illustrations by March 10th, there’s an additional bonus of around $9,000.”

Gu Weijing finally understood why online illustrations were often dismissed by traditional illustrators.

Compared to truly high-end commissions, the income is much different.

When a large group casually lets a little money slip through their fingers, it’s worth more than most online artists paint in ten years.

”Don’t worry, I will submit on time.”

Gu Weijing calculated, converting the sums, this money is enough to upgrade several of his skills to the Tier Two Professional level at once.

This is crucial for the upcoming art exhibition in Singapore.

”Don’t rush, these past few days I’ve been reviewing your previous painting repeatedly, and I found areas that can still be improved.” Mr. Tree Sloth stopped Gu Weijing from starting immediately.

”Is there something wrong?”

Gu Weijing was puzzled.

His painting knife painting is at a legendary level, and he was generally satisfied with the process of making that painting.

There shouldn’t be any issues, right?

Mr. Tree Sloth had previously praised this work highly as well?

”It’s not that there are problems with the painting, it’s that I think you can do better. The artistic value of this painting is enough, but I don’t want you to stop here; the painting is beautiful, but it lacks depth.”

”You mean, not enough... heartfelt, no personal interpretation in the painting?”

Gu Weijing roughly understood Mr. Tree Sloth’s intention.

If there’s one weak point in this illustration, it would be emotion.

”Not your interpretation, but the author’s interpretation; you haven’t delved deep into the world of The Little Prince.” Mr. Tree Sloth hinted.

People say there are a thousand different lives in a book.

Gu Weijing also tried to empathize with the characters in the book, but unfortunately, he isn’t the kind of literary youth who is deeply touched by the refreshing style of fairy tales.

Compared to fairy tale masters like Saint-Exupéry or literary giants, his understanding of book characters and works can’t be considered deep.

Without system help,

at best, he is merely a high school student attempting a Chinese reading comprehension exercise, trying to capture the fleeting profound meaning hidden between the lines, indeed quite difficult.

Of course, Gu Weijing wants to paint more deeply.

Not only to create better illustrations, but he also has an important task yet to complete.

[Current task content: Complete one hundred different themed character line drawing sketches. (Note: The works rated as heartfelt need to exceed twenty pieces)]

[Current task progress—]

[Character Line Drawing: (81/100)]

[Heartfelt (5/20)]

The goal of one hundred character line drawing sketches for Gu Weijing’s task is almost complete this week, but the heartfelt aspect remains stuck at 5.

There’s a long way to go from the required 20 pieces.

He once tried sketches of characters from The Little Prince but seemed always short of understanding the elusive fairy tale characters.

Achieving a Simple Works rating is rare, most even came out as Careless.

”Have you read The Little Prince? Do you like The Little Prince?” Mr. Tree Sloth asked.

”I’ve only skimmed it. I don’t feel much, can’t say I like or dislike it.”

Gu Weijing replied honestly.

”No worries, just in time, Lady Detective Cat, let me give you a lesson.”

Across the oceans, Anna took a copy of The Little Prince from her bookshelf and smiled as she opened the first page.