The Versatile Master Artist

"You two kids wait for me for a moment."

Mrs. Sakai called out to Gu Weijing and asked the driver to open the trunk, from which she took out a Hermes travel bag.

She tidied her hair using the vanity mirror on the sun visor, then got out of the car, clicking her high heels as she walked toward the art gallery.

"That’s... Mrs. Cruz! My goodness."

Hanks, who had been impatiently waiting for Gu Weijing, changed his expression the moment Mrs. Sakai got out of the car.

It took him three seconds to match this blonde woman with the voluptuous lady he had seen four or five years ago at the Barcelona Art Gallery, confirming he hadn’t mistaken her.

Hanks instantly felt a bit chaotic in his mind.

Rumors in the industry say,

Professor Yakai and his wife have a great relationship, having been college sweethearts.

No matter how arrogant Master Yakai is outside, he’s always superobedient in front of his wife. Many career plans require convincing Mrs. Sakai more than Professor Yakai himself.

But it’s said that she’s quite strong-minded and not easy to get along with.

When Hanks wanted to sign with Yakai Ichiro, he thought about whether he could go through Mrs. Sakai to meet this Ms. Cruz.

But alas, she wouldn’t take calls from outsiders.

Emails sent to her mailbox also went unanswered.

He worked hard and decided to try his luck at a yakitori bar, hoping to catch Professor Yakai there.

Sometimes when you least expect it, things fall into place.

In Japan, Hanks tried everything to meet the lady, but unexpectedly, when he came to Yangon to sign the local artist, he ran into Mrs. Sakai herself.

He didn’t have time to feel delighted.

With a swift move, he slipped out from behind Gu Tongxiang, bending over with a beaming smile as he hurried forward.

He found that Mrs. Sakai wasn’t as unapproachable as the rumors suggested and politely extended her hand.

Hanks was moved.

"Mrs. Cruz, I am Hanks Ma Shi, an agent from Ma Shi Gallery. We met once at the Catalonia Art Exhibition discussion. I wonder if you still remember me; you’re still as beautiful as ever..."

Mrs. Sakai skillfully sidestepped, avoiding Hanks’ flattering advance, lightly brushed off the agent’s hand with the back of her hand, and then grabbed the right hand of the person behind him, Gu Tongxiang.

"This should be our first meeting, whether it is with my husband or myself. We both consider Gu Weijing to be one of the most impressive young talents we’ve met. I’ve always anticipated meeting the esteemed elder who taught such a remarkable child, it’s a pleasure."

Mrs. Sakai showed no signs on her face of having just critically assessed Gu Weijing from head to toe in the car.

She very politely introduced herself and shook hands with the other party.

"Hello, hello, madam..."

Gu Tongxiang’s face resembled a smiling dumpling, filled with wrinkles.

"My name is Adrianna Cruz. I am Yakai Ichiro’s wife and Yakai Shengzi’s mother. Mr. Gu, you can call me Mrs. Sakai or just Adrianna; you’re a senior in the artistic path, address me in whatever way you find convenient."

Witnessing the whole scenario, Hanks felt the world had opened in a way he couldn’t comprehend.

A senior in the artistic path?!!!

He stared at Gu Tongxiang’s bald head, his eyes looking like two bronze bells.

The only link between this old fellow and the term ’senior’ might be his age.

However, art values capability over age.

In the world of art, it’s often seen that teachers are younger than their students. Artists like Huang Yongyu became professors at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in their twenties, with students who might be grey-haired grandpas.

Hanks had carefully assessed Gu Tongxiang’s skills and found nothing exceedingly impressive.

But claiming he had such reverence from Mrs. Sakai was just absurd.

"Uh... you, you, you’re truly too kind."

Gu Tongxiang was overwhelmed by the spring-like praise.

Having lived a lifetime, he never received such high praise from such a distinguished figure.

The old man held Mrs. Sakai’s hand, unsure of what to say.

"If you don’t mind, let’s talk inside."

Mrs. Sakai smiled at Mr. Gu.

Her character might be sharp, but she always shows high emotional intelligence.

In the car, Mrs. Sakai might criticize Gu Weijing for this and that, but on such occasions, she’s willing to be respectful, giving ample face to the elders in the family.

Otherwise, she’d simply disapprove of their relationship; if she approves, effort must be spent to maintain the relationship.

Otherwise, just like in Japanese dramas, where a noble lady meets the in-laws of a poor boy with chilly and sarcastic comments, ultimately placing her daughter in a hard position.

"Today is our first meeting, and I brought you some small gifts."

Lady Sakai asked the driver to place the travel bag on the counter, opened the zipper, and took out several small gift boxes.

Gu Weijing only now realized why the blonde auntie asked about his family’s situation in the car.

She wasn’t conducting a census, but ensuring she had prepared a gift for everyone.

The uncle received a small tea cup with a blue and green ash glaze, the aunt got a pair of red gemstone earrings half the size of a fingernail, Mr. Gu Tongxiang received a small scroll, and even Gu Lin, Gu Weijing’s cousin, received a "Success in Studies" protective talisman from Kyoto Kiyomizu Temple.

Hanks was completely baffled.

It wasn’t that these gifts were so extravagant they were hard to accept.

These items were very thoughtful but not too expensive.

Hanks, having given many gifts, recognized them at a glance. Except for the Kiyomizu Temple talisman, which didn’t have a set price, the small tea cup should be from the "Three Thousand Families", and the earrings were Swarovski’s commemorative edition from last year. They are somewhat hard to find, with retail prices between 500 and 800 US dollars.

This is very well considered.

This gift clearly showed thoughtfulness, without being overly expensive or ostentatious.

Considering Mrs. Sakai’s wealth and income, this thoughtful approach to gift-giving is far more astonishing than the few hundred dollars the items cost.

What shocked Hanks even more was the small scroll in Mr. Gu Tongxiang’s hands.

The old man untied the scroll, and it was only about two or three square feet, with just four simple characters, "Health and Well-being."

To be honest,

The writing was average.

It certainly wasn’t as good as Old Wu’s next door, and perhaps not even better than Gu Tongxiang’s own calligraphy, but the signature at the bottom was indeed Yakai Ichiro’s.

"There are several well-known calligraphy masters at Tama Art University, each able to sell their work for tens of thousands in yen per foot. Ichiro still has a long way to go. He originally wanted to ask a colleague for a piece, but I thought this gift would be more meaningful if he wrote it himself. It’s not worth much, and might be embarrassing if shown outside, but it’s merely a token."

Mrs. Sakai spoke lightly.

But even Gu Weijing felt intensely grateful, and any small resentment he had against Mrs. Sakai dissipated immediately.

Mr. Gu Tongxiang felt that the Yakai family was genuinely the most cultured, gentle artist family in the world.

His old face nearly broke into a grin.

When he learned that his grandson might be dating Miss Jiu Jing, his heart was filled with more worry than joy.

He always felt they were not suitably matched.

Dating someone like Miss Jiu Jing might bring a lot of psychological pressure to his grandson, which might not be a good thing.

In his heart, he rather liked that young girl Mona who often visited their home.

Serious, steady,

This was the partner he saw as someone who could live a good life with his grandson, someone tangible and dependable.

At this moment, Mr. Gu Tongxiang only felt that Miss Shengzi was adorable, Uncle Sakai was gentle, and Mrs. Sakai was a truly down-to-earth, well-bred lady.

There was none of the arrogance he had imagined.

The young Indian girl was long gone from the old man’s mind.

Who is Mona?

"Too... too generous."

Uncertain whether he was happy or moved, Mr. Gu Tongxiang muttered, holding the scroll with trembling lips.

"Shengzi, green tea palace intrigue, winning people over, you still have a lot to learn!"

Mrs. Sakai, observing how her sequence of actions nearly moved Gu Tongxiang to tears, glanced at her simple-minded daughter beside her, feeling a self-satisfied sense of triumph.