The Versatile Master Artist

”You’ve overthought it, the author of this painting is not my daughter.”

Uncle Sakai smiled and waved his hand, ”His name is Gu Weijing.”

”Gu... Weijing?”

Hanks recited this name, changing the tone and syllables several times, confidently knowing he had never heard of this name before.

”Does he have any relation to that avant-garde artist Gu Dexing from the New York Queens Modern Art District?” He racked his brain trying to think.

”No relation at all, they’re not even the same surname.” Uncle Sakai shrugged.

”A Nobody.” Hanks also shrugged and commented.

He couldn’t recall any great painter’s nephews or young disciples with such a name in his mind.

Must be just an unnoticed little character.

”I told you from the start, he’s currently just a nobody.”

Professor Yajima smiled, ”I was also a Nobody once, but OFA made me, and I repaid Ota Art Gallery with substantial benefits.”

”Every master was once a nobody. The difference between a destitute Van Gogh and a wealthy Picasso might just be whether there’s a suitable stage, whether there’s a professional backing team. Isn’t this the reason why galleries like yours exist?”

Uncle Sakai used the AirDrop feature on his phone to share the photo with Hanks. Then, somewhat reluctantly, he glanced at the barbecue bar in front of him, stood up, and prepared to leave.

”Perhaps that’s true. But putting such an artist into resources worth millions could elevate any creator of a similar level to the same position. In the high-end art industry, this level of technique isn’t a scarce resource; it’s galleries like Ma Shi Gallery that are the scarce resources. What reason do we have to push this Gu Weijing specifically?”

”I said the choice is yours.”

Uncle Sakai stood up with a mysterious expression.

He held his Apple Watch up in front of Hanks.

”In this industry, opportunities have always been for those who are prepared, for both artists and galleries. Today, finding me here at this midnight barbecue spot, I personally appreciate your effort and persistence, so I introduced him to you.”

”Before I go home and sleep, I will call other galleries, um... you have thirty minutes to make a decision, you should have the contact for my studio, the offer stands till then.”

”I will consider it.”

Hanks gave the same answer as before, with not much enthusiasm in his tone.

If other galleries are willing to sign such an artist, let them be.

”Boss, check please, no need for the sake.” The agent waved towards Master Takatani, who was preparing sake, also ready to end the not-so-successful late-night meal.

The yakitori chef wasn’t willing to miss the chance to overcharge unsuspecting customers.

He held the dark glass bottle of sake in front of Hanks, shook it, indicating the bottle was already opened, ”This is the most expensive sake in the house, 122,000 yen, already opened, you have to pay for it regardless of drinking.”

”Is this broke sake 122,000 yen?”

Hanks sneered,

The barbecue here is cheap, but he didn’t expect the sake to be this expensive.

122,000 yen is about one thousand dollars, which is already the price for the top-tier sake.

In this small shop, the ”Kiku” brand sake was a mainstream product, not even worth one-twentieth of its price in shops.

”Price clearly marked, you ordered it yourself. Young man, do you think you’re the first guest dining with Mr. Sakai to order the most expensive sake in the house?”

Master Takatani had a face of a shrewd businessman, ”I’ll take advantage of you for sure.”

”Oh yes, I think there’s something else you should know.” By now, Professor Yajima had reached the shop’s entrance.

He suddenly stopped, turned sideways, paused for two seconds, and then said in a slowly languid tone, ”He is not my daughter, but he is also only seventeen.”

”This is the work of a seventeen-year-old painter? Wait, could you please detail...”

Uncle simply ignored the astonished inquiry of Hanks and bid farewell to Master Takatani before transforming into a proud, indifferent figure, disappearing into the vast night streets of Tokyo without turning back.

Hanks, who was previously arguing with the chef, was stunned for a moment.

Seventeen?

He cared less about the obviously overpriced sake, hurriedly took out his phone again.

Hanks once more meticulously examined the draft of the piece that showed only half.

The painting remained the same,

but the mindset of the viewer had completely changed.

All Hanks’ previous judgments were based on the template of an artist in his forties with a mature painting style.

Now,

knowing the creator of this painting was astonishingly young, not even an adult yet,

Hanks immediately felt an entirely different impression when looking at it.

All the roughness and shortcomings in the strokes vanished into thin air, and he found everything pleasing to the eye.

This is in no way an ordinary cheerleader,

but an incredible beauty embryo, living in a rural area yet striking in her allure!

Currently still somewhat of a demure, sheltered maiden, she just needed time to blossom her radiance gradually, along with a few experienced mentors teaching her feminine charm, she could transform into an allure that captivates the masses.

Hanks felt,

Ma Shi Gallery would be perfect for serving as these experienced mentors.

”So young already, what could happen in five years? This is clearly another Miss Koizumi Katsuko.”