The Versatile Master Artist

She called out to Koshiba Tarou, motioning for him to follow her to the corner.

Koshiba Tarou was stunned for a moment.

Mrs. Sakai usually referred to him as Mr. Xiaomao or Mr. Xiaomao, terms that were much more intimate.

Sometimes she would even skip the formalities and call him "Tarou" as if he were a family member.

Now, switching to the English-style "Mr. Koshiba," although more polite, carried a sense of distance.

Koshiba Tarou was quite unhappy about it.

I came all the way here for your daughter, working hard, and yet Miss Shengzi always acts indifferent towards me.

Even if you don’t scold her,

showing me a cold face is really treating me, Koshiba Tarou, as if I’m insignificant!

I am, after all, a desirable bachelor, often making women swoon over me!

"Professor Cruz, I just happen to have something to say to you too."

Koshiba Tarou sneered in his heart, changing his address as well.

He did have some points to discuss with Mrs. Sakai.

Ever since he started pursuing Miss Yakai Shengzi, Koshiba Tarou has taken the route of the obedient, classic K-drama doting husband tycoon.

And what did it get him!

Miss Sakai calling him late at night, telling him "I won’t marry you."

All his efforts wasted on an ungrateful person.

Actually, much of the bitterness from being rejected by Miss Sakai faded after a couple of cocktails at the hotel bar.

She’s just a young girl who likes to overthink.

Growing up in such a wealthy family as Professor Yakai’s, she must be a gilded canary in a jade cage.

The young girl lacks a clear understanding of society and wealth, not realizing the merits of a man like him.

Regarding his future with Yakai Shengzi, Koshiba believes that even though there are temporary setbacks now, the future will surely be bright and beautiful.

Miss Shengzi is long-haired but short-sighted, big-breasted but brainless.

Her mother, Mrs. Sakai, has always been a person who understands the world very well.

She knows what’s most important and what’s best for her daughter.

From Mrs. Sakai actively summoning him, constantly creating opportunities for him to interact with Miss Sakai, one can see her wisdom and high emotional intelligence.

The only regret is,

Miss Shengzi seems a bit impervious to soft approaches, and the strategy of gentle progression hasn’t worked well.

In recent months,

Sakai Shengzi hasn’t gotten any closer to him; instead, she’s showing signs of wanting to run away.

That night, after downing a third whiskey with cherry, Koshiba Tarou made up his mind.

He had already shown the gentle, big brother side.

Now, Koshiba Tarou is ready to change his approach and show the resolute and vigorous, samurai-like dignified masculinity of a Japanese man.

He, Koshiba Tarou, starting today—

is going to be domineering!

"Madam, you can’t spoil your daughter like this!" Koshiba Tarou even thought of how to say it to Mrs. Sakai later, using a deep voice and an indisputable tone, coldly saying: "Continuing to spoil her, her heart will run wild, hanging around in Yangon all day, what does it look like? I think it’s time for you to make up your mind to send your daughter Shengzi back to Japan."

Who isn’t a devilishly charming and tyrannical president?

Since Mrs. Sakai is well aware that no one is irreplaceable like Koshiba Tarou, whether in family background or talent.

If she wants to be the daughter-in-law of the Xiaosong Gallery,

keeping up such airs is pointless.

According to Koshiba Tarou, it’s best to book a flight back to Japan this week, set the engagement next month in Osaka.

Women can completely marry first and then attend university, such things weren’t uncommon among female students in the Showa Era not too long ago.

In a couple of years, maybe they’d even have a child; how far could her heart fly?

Koshiba Tarou thought his plan was simply perfect, only regretting he hadn’t suggested it sooner.

"You have something to say to me too?"

Mrs. Sakai stood at the corridor of the classroom entrance, tidying her blonde hair by her forehead, puzzled.

"You go first, Professor Cruz."

Koshiba Tarou curled his lips, preparing to first listen to what Mrs. Sakai had to say, to gather more momentum for himself, and then attack.

"Alright, here’s the thing."

Lady Sakai sized up Koshiba Tarou from head to toe.

She felt his current tone and demeanor was somewhat strange but didn’t take it to heart and spoke bluntly: "Shengzi wants to participate in this summer’s Singapore Art Biennale, and she might need more time to prepare her works on her own."

"Therefore, both Shengzi and I think that with limited time, it’s unnecessary for her to frequently go to the advanced class as a teaching assistant anymore. What do you think?"

Mrs. Sakai said this without much intention of seeking Koshiba Tarou’s opinion.

"Ah?"

Koshiba Tarou was dumbfounded.

The momentum he had been gathering in his heart to make his move suddenly deflated like a balloon pricked by a needle.

Not going to the advanced class as a teaching assistant anymore?

Wasn’t this the personal opportunity Mrs. Sakai promised to create for him to have more contact with Miss Yakai Shengzi?

Moreover,

is Yakai Shengzi now going to participate in this year’s Lion City Art Exhibition, at such a young age...

"Participating in the exhibition is a good thing, Auntie. If Miss Yakai is going back to Japan to paint, I can also accompany her more. Give her some art guidance. After all, you are the elders, and communication is easier among us peers." Koshiba Tarou said this with some confidence.

He is, after all, a professional player who won the third prize in the student group of the Yokohama Art Triennial.