The Versatile Master Artist

”So, Mr. Ma Shi, how are the contract negotiations going?”

Polite formalities were over.

Mrs. Sakai suddenly seemed to remember there was an agent from Ma Shi Gallery nearby. She casually nodded to the young blond man.

An artist at Yakai Ichiro’s level almost always has a specialized personal agent team.

Even signing with a large gallery like Ma Shi is more of a business cooperation than a subordinate relationship, and there’s no need to care about the gallery or the agent’s attitude.

Mrs. Sakai only bothered with outside agent hunters when she was in a good mood; otherwise, she would tell them to get lost.

”Hanks, you can call me Hanks.”

The agent maintained his bright smile.

He hadn’t expected Professor Yajima to have such a close relationship with this family.

He was a perceptive person, thought for a moment, then simply smiled apologetically at Gu Tongxiang and spoke honestly.

”Not deceiving you. Within the reasonable scope, I gave a very generous price just now. There is indeed some space, but not much. Any gallery’s investment needs to recover returns, and since signing newcomers involves taking on uncertain risks, bargain driving is a standard industry practice.”

Hanks picked up the contract lying on the table, hesitated for a moment, and wrote a series of numbers on the back with a pen, then passed it over.

”Generous as it may be, since Mrs. Cruz personally stepped in, this contract is void. Out of respect, I am willing to offer the highest possible price within my authority. If you’re satisfied with this figure, we can print a new contract.”

Mrs. Sakai didn’t seem particularly grateful, accepting the contract with a half-smile.

She didn’t even glance at the new terms Hanks had provided on the contract’s back, instead meticulously reading through the previous twenty pages before nodding.

”It’s fairly generous indeed. A twenty-year contract is a bit of a pit, but it’s an honest villain on the surface, which isn’t over the top.”

Mrs. Sakai remained calm, ”If I saw any strange clauses on it, I might question Ma Shi Gallery’s professional ethics and blacklist it from cooperation. At the very least, I would request a trustworthy agent to handle the negotiation.”

”You’re overthinking it. Ma Shi Gallery has always treated its artists as partners in the same boat, never playing tricks behind the scenes. You can rest assured on that point.”

Hanks still wore a smile, speaking solemnly, but sweat trickled down in his heart.

He knew he had come close to losing his job.

Hanks Ma Shi, bearing the Ma Shi surname, was just a distant cousin of the big boss Ma Shi’s triad’s family.

Many galleries are family businesses, so having the surname Ma Shi wasn’t a big deal, with family ties and relationships everywhere among colleagues.

Just because he bore the name Ma Shi,

If Mrs. Sakai really questioned his professional ethics, the boss would fire him without a blink to take the blame.

Dammit,

That round and honest-looking Uncle Sakai plays dirty indeed.

Hanks cursed inwardly at the injustice.

Uncle Sakai really needed to make it clear that this little artist from Yangon was a close family friend.

With Gu Weijing’s painting skills,

I would have gladly given all permissible conditions ages ago.

Yet in your call, you only mentioned casually helping a junior. When it came to signing the contract, you sent your wife to check the accounts.

What a test of nerves!

Hanks felt indignant,

knowing they wanted to see if he was worth long-term partnership and hoping he hadn’t made any mistakes, still quite scared.

He licked his lips, focusing on the translator beside him.

Hanks resolved that if the contract wasn’t secured today, he’d fire his translator tomorrow.

Danger.

Too dangerous!

Fortunately, he felt the suggestion was too stupid to adopt it.

Indeed, kindness gets rewarded.

”Twenty years? Usual industry terms are often just three years. This contract seems a bit like a rip-off. You might want to consider the Tokyo Gallery.”

Koizumi Katsuko peeked at the terms on the contract, advising her mother.

”I can compromise and sign for fifteen years, Miss Sakai. Signing someone without fame...” Hanks started but stopped halfway, shutting his mouth obediently.

He watched as the girl who had been sticking by her mother’s side ever since entering boldly took Gu Weijing’s hand: ”He is my boyfriend. Gallery owner Tian Tian Xingren ran the BTAP (Capital City-Tokyo Asia New Generation Artist Project) in the Capital City’s 798 Art District since 2002. He was willing to offer me a custom contract back then, and he’d definitely be interested in Gu Weijing.”

Hanks watched the two young people intertwine their hands, feeling a wave of green envy.

Besides a bitter smile,

there was nothing else he could manage to express on his face.

Hanks had noticed the affection and warmth between them when they entered, harboring some suspicions in his mind.

But he still couldn’t fully believe that the seemingly average-looking Gu Weijing had succeeded in winning over a little princess like Miss Sakai.

Now the truth was right there before him,

as Hanks sized up the slim young man in light blue-rimmed glasses, filled with endless awe in his heart.

”Holy crap! This guy is something else! FUCK, a master, truly an incredible player in the dating arena.”