Chapter 103 Someone Wants to Compete
Jiang Si turned around and saw a tall, middle-aged woman.
The other person was wearing a long, black wool coat that reached her feet, and a large cashmere scarf and hat covered most of her face.
However, it is not difficult to tell from his temperament and physique that this person is engaged in the arts.
Accompanying her was a woman with two shoulder-length braids, carrying a military green canvas sketchbook.
Before I knew it, the two people were right in front of me.
"I've seen you standing here for quite a while. Do you know someone who works here?"
Jiang Si nodded and then explained her purpose.
Upon hearing that she had come to see Chairman Zhou, specifically regarding the New Year's Day themed mural, the middle-aged woman was momentarily surprised.
She was clearly surprised by the news.
Realizing what she was doing, she said, "I've been away on a business trip these past few days and I'm not in Beijing, so I'm not familiar with the situation you're describing."
"President Zhou should have gone out with the painting group around this time."
"It's hard to say whether we'll be back by noon. We're going out in a bit, so we might not be able to entertain you."
"I'll tell Chairman Zhou when I see him. By the way, what's your name?"
Since Chairman Zhou wasn't there, Jiang Si didn't plan to stay any longer.
"My name is Jiang Si."
After saying that, Jiang Si nodded slightly, and then turned and left with Huo Tingzhou.
Jiang Si?
Fang Wenjun paused for a moment. The name sounded strangely familiar to her, as if she had heard it somewhere before.
Before she could even remember who this person was, the girl who was with her suddenly turned pale, as if she had just thought of something.
“Master, this girl was introduced by Chairman Zhou.”
"President Zhou will definitely use his own people, so... then I came all this way for nothing?"
"Why would you think that?" Fang Wenjun frowned.
She had worked with Chairman Zhou for many years and knew what kind of person he was.
If that girl hadn't been quite capable, Chairman Zhou wouldn't have personally recommended her.
"Ya Shu, I already told you this when you called to ask last time."
"This is a rare opportunity, so there will definitely be many artists vying for it."
Qiu Yashu pursed her lips; of course she knew this opportunity was rare.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have traveled all the way back from Shaanxi Province.
However, before she came, she did not know that Chairman Zhou had also recommended an acquaintance.
“Master, I understand what you’re saying, but I’m a little worried.”
"What's there to worry about? When it comes to painting, you can't rely on anyone else; you can only rely on your own skills."
Although I had personally tutored this child, this mural project was not only about the reputation of the Beijing Artists Association, but also about the entire art world.
There is no room for error.
Fang Wenjun put it very bluntly: "If you paint well, no one can take this opportunity away from you."
"If you can't draw well, you can only blame yourself for being less skilled."
"Alright, don't worry too much. You've studied painting for so many years, your basic skills are quite solid."
"The theme of this mural matches your major in college, so there shouldn't be any major problems."
Speaking of this, Fang Wenjun felt a little regretful.
"If you hadn't broken your arm before the college entrance exam, you would have had no problem getting into the Central Academy of Fine Arts with your level of ability."
"By the way, how have you been doing at Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts these past three years?"
"It's alright, but the teachers who teach professional courses aren't very professional. Their painting skills can't compare to yours, Master..."
"Alright, alright, stop with the useless talk."
Fang Wenjun didn't like hearing these boastful words and interrupted her directly.
As the saying goes, the master leads you through the door, but the practice is up to you.
They can only serve as a stepping stone; the key lies with the individual.
After thinking for a moment, Fang Wenjun suddenly said, "Draw one in a bit, and I'll take a look first."
If there are any problems, she can give you some pointers.
Qiu Yashu's eyes flickered at this moment, "Master, I've been on the train for a day and a night, and my hand hasn't recovered yet. How about I wait a couple of days?"
Fang Wenjun was about to say, "You can't do it this way."
If everyone has to work for two days and then rest for two days, how can the task be completed on time and with high quality?
Just then, a noise came from outside the door.
Fang Wenjun peeked down and saw that it was Chairman Zhou and the others who had returned.
Thinking about the promise he had made to the young lady, Fang Wenjun immediately told Chairman Zhou about Jiang Si coming to see him as soon as he entered the office.
Chairman Zhou became excited immediately upon hearing this; it seemed there was hope for this!
Where are they?
"They've already left."
"What? When did they leave?"
"Just now, it must have been about ten minutes ago."
"Sigh, I should have come back a little earlier."
"By the way, did she say anything? Did she say when she would come again or call?"
"No, she just asked about the murals."
Seeing Chairman Zhou's frustrated expression, Fang Wenjun was still a little puzzled.
Wasn't Comrade Jiang personally recommended by the chairman?
To her, the two seemed like complete strangers.
President Zhou thought to himself, "You wouldn't know that, would you?"
He was just about to give her a proper explanation of Jiang Si's situation when he suddenly noticed Qiu Yashu standing to the side.
Who is this?
"Her name is Qiu Yashu, and she is a third-year student in the Department of Sketching at Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts."
“She saw our advertisement for illustrators in the newspaper and wanted to give it a try.”
Seeing that Fang Wenjun didn't mention their relationship at all, but instead introduced them to them in a businesslike manner.
Qiu Yashu couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
But at this moment, she could only force a smile.
"President Zhou, hello, you can just call me Ya Shu."
"This is my portfolio. You can take a look. I personally am good at depicting details of people, and my color matching and composition are also quite good."
"If I am fortunate enough to get this opportunity, I will definitely perform well and make sure I will not disappoint you or my mentor, Vice President Fang."
Chairman Zhou carefully looked through it.
To be fair, Comrade Qiu's paintings are indeed quite good.
As he flipped through the pages, Chairman Zhou's expression suddenly became much more serious.
"Comrade Qiu, your paintings are indeed quite good. If you'd like, you can try your hand at our small mural group."
What?
Qiu Yashu thought she had misheard. How could it be a small mural group?
Her goal was always the same: the giant propaganda mural in the square.
Everyone knows that place is packed with people during New Year's Day!
Reporters from major newspapers and television stations in Beijing will go there to conduct interviews.
This was arguably the fastest, most effective, and closest opportunity she had ever had to succeed.
Even if she couldn't participate in this project, it wouldn't warrant putting her in a small mural group.
Isn't this an insult?
Fang Wenjun was also quite surprised by this result.
Chairman Zhou didn't explain much, but instead handed the portfolio to Fang Wenjun.
"You'll see when you see it."
Fang Wenjun was puzzled, but after looking through a few pictures, she understood why Chairman Zhou had put her in the small mural group.
But Qiu Yashu didn't understand. "President Zhou, I remember the newspaper clearly stated that all artists have to do a trial drawing when they come here, right?"
"That's right."
Chairman Zhou was also worried that the results wouldn't be good, so he specifically added this requirement.
"Could I try painting it and try to get a chance to join the large mural group?"
"A trial painting is possible, but we have already decided on the team for the large mural project, so we apologize for that."
Chairman Zhou explained, "Actually, we already had a candidate in mind before you came today, and we've been waiting for their response for the past two days."
Upon hearing this, the master and apprentice present immediately thought of the girl who had just arrived.
However, Fang Wenjun was simply curious.
But Qiu Yashu felt more resentful than anything else.
That's true, such a good opportunity should definitely not go to outsiders.
Unlike her master, who didn't say a single word in her defense from beginning to end!
Finally, Qiu Yashu couldn't help but ask.
"President Zhou, has this candidate participated in any trial paintings before?"
Chairman Zhou: "No."
Qiu Yashu had an "I knew it" look on her face.
But the next second, Chairman Zhou's words slapped her in the face like a resounding slap.
“She didn’t try painting because there was no need. We’ve seen her paintings, and we’re well aware of her abilities.”
He originally wanted to be more direct, but out of consideration for his old colleague, he refrained from saying more.
"I still have some things to take care of. You can consider what I just said."
After saying that, Chairman Zhou led a few people from the painting group out.
"Master, I told you he would definitely use his own people, but you didn't believe me!"
Qiu Yashu had never suffered such injustice in her life. She couldn't control her emotions and burst into tears, burying her face in her arms on the table.
But after crying for a long time, her master didn't offer her a single word of comfort.
"Master, you're not helping me."
"How can I help? Look at what you've drawn, what kind of thing is this?"
Fang Wenjun threw the entire collection of works in front of Qiu Yashu and flipped through it for her page by page.
"These are all your previous drawings; they're barely passable."
"Tell me what you drew in the next few pictures?"
"You studied in the West for three years and didn't improve your painting skills at all. In fact, you've regressed so much. How dare you cry?"
Qiu Yashu still looked unconvinced, even though the teachers all said her paintings were very inspired.
Her classmates all praised her.
How come I'm nothing when it comes to my master!
"Don't be unconvinced."
Qiu Yashu was unconvinced and admitted that she had indeed slacked off a little over the past three years.
But she has studied painting for more than ten years, and as her teacher just said, she still has the basic skills.
With a little effort, you can catch up quickly.
There's still a month until New Year's Day, so it's hard to say who will be chosen!
Seeing that she was stubbornly refusing to speak, Fang Wenjun knew that it would be useless to say anything now.
People can't teach each other.
A lesson is taught, and once is enough!
Based on her understanding of Chairman Zhou, anyone who could make such a boastful claim was no ordinary person.
She'll see for herself what it means to be outmatched and have a world beyond your reach.
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