Almighty painter

Chapter 985 Williams' Encounter with the "Cougar"
When someone suddenly becomes famous, attention from all sides always follows them.

at this point.

Xiao Gu had already experienced this deeply back in Singapore.

At that time, the robbery had just occurred, and the hospital where his ward was located was constantly surrounded by the media and paparazzi. They kept watch around 24 hours a day, everyone wanting to interview someone, everyone wanting to get some exclusive news.

The attention given to Gu Weijing was merely incidental.

The young man once saw Anna briefly answering media questions from a distance by the window. The flashes of the cameras formed a light strip. The metaphor of "twinkle twinkle little star" seemed inappropriate at that time. It wasn't a series of flashes, nor was it a sky full of stars. Instead, it was a huge light panel formed by the fill lights of the cameras connected together.

That was the projection used to light the sacred flame.

The goal is to reflect all the light of the world onto one person's body.

Now, almost two years later, Gu Weijing is experiencing a similar scene again. An art exhibition... no matter how big the exhibition, in terms of social influence and the amount of gossip it attracts, can hardly compare to the sensational gossip of a single, wealthy woman stranded on a desert island, barely surviving, and then miraculously making it out of the woods.

It might not even be a tenth as impressive as the scale of the event.

but.

Even a tenth of the starry sky can be considered a dazzling array of stars. University art academies have relatively closed environments and stable interpersonal relationships; in this social atmosphere, news stories tend to have a stronger "focusing" effect.

Which student wins the "MVP" award in the school soccer tournament, or who scores a beautiful goal, can be the talk of the town for half a week. Needless to say, the gossip about "so-and-so is going to have an exhibition at the Louvre" is incredibly valuable.

Although this is a top-tier art academy renowned throughout Europe, with many exceptional students, those reaching this level are rare, perhaps only one in many years. To hold a solo exhibition at a major museum requires a multitude of factors, including timing and luck. Without the strategic partnership with the Hermès Gallery, even someone as arrogant and conceited as Samuel Kertzens might never have had such an opportunity in his lifetime.

Now, as Gu Weijing walks on the school campus, he finally has the same kind of presence that Anna Elena had when she first entered the school and walked around the campus.

Even if it doesn't compare to the level of attention a rock star would receive if they appeared on campus.

It can also rival the level of attention a cougar would receive if it appeared on campus.

"Aww—Meow!"

In the woods, a round tabby cat rolled around on the lawn with its belly exposed, performing a "tiger somersault." Whether it was because its belly was too big or because there was a small slope on the lawn, it got stuck halfway through the roll and rolled back.

It must be because the ground is uneven.

definitely is.

It barked in dissatisfaction, indicating that maintaining silence during a concert is the most basic etiquette.

It surveyed the crowd around it, scanning and sniffing the outstretched hands on the ground. Then, it snatched the offering to the Great Supreme from a young lady's hand—a fried cod cake provided by the teachers' and students' canteen at noon. It then slipped away from two other clueless fools who tried to touch the Supreme with their humble human hands, and strolled back to eat it in small bites.

Awang smelled the irresistible aroma of the meat released by the Maillard reaction under high temperature, then glanced back at the pitiful "little bowl" in front of Xiao Guzi filled with waste paper, and immediately felt a sense of superiority.

Fish cakes, fragrant—Awang, cowhide.

Waste paper, not fragrant—Little Gu, not bragging.

It's so simple that even a child can understand it.

What defines a true superstar?

It lay down beside the violin case, assuming that the crowd around it must have come to see it.

Meow, I'm used to it.

"Thank you everyone, thank you, Danke!" After Gu Weijing finished playing a viola arrangement of Sibelius, he took the teak-colored violin off his shoulder, held the neck in one hand and the bow handle in the other, and bowed to the students who were surrounded by layers of people.

"Danke!"

He said thank you again in German.

"You played so beautifully."

A student in the front row, holding up their phone, asked.

"Thank you," Gu Weijing said.

"Is this fundraising for your art exhibition? A kind of social art event?" someone asked, casually putting money from their wallet into Gu Weijing's violin case.

"Oh, no, no, it's just—"

"Will you be performing this at the Louvre then, Gu?"

"Will your art exhibition also include some musical elements? Is it a new type of three-dimensional exhibition that combines visual and auditory elements...?"

A barrage of questions came rushing towards Gu Weijing.

He's gotten used to it these past couple of days.

At first he tried to explain, but now he has given up on this futile struggle.

Gu Weijing quickly packed up the violin case, grabbed the cat leash next to him, pulled his gluttonous cat (who never seemed to have enough food), and walked out of the crowd.

"Thank you everyone. Thank you everyone, thank you. I have class this afternoon. Yes, playing music is just a personal hobby of mine. I'm not a professional violinist, and it has nothing to do with the art exhibition."

"By the way, please don't feed it next time you come. Believe me, it really doesn't lack any nutrition. Has anyone ever seen such a big tabby cat?"

"It's really embarrassing to talk about, but last week, a classmate saw him from afar and thought I was raising a cougar—"

……

Interesting.

In the past two days, more and more students have been coming specifically to listen to Gu Weijing practice the piano.

There were so many people that Gu Weijing felt ashamed.

After each performance, the praise he received made Gu Weijing feel ashamed, and even the money... the amount of money he received made Gu Weijing feel ashamed.

How much money is it exactly?

150 euros, 200 euros, 300 euros, or more?

As Anna jokingly said, a few years later, he would have earned enough money to give a New Year's Concert at the Vienna Golden Hall, which was of course far from the truth.

If we can take stock of it...

Gu Weijing only needs to play the violin for a very short time each day in a small campus to earn much more than a white-collar worker who earns a living like a hamburger.

Let alone a meal.

It's definitely enough to support a family.

Gu Weijing, on the contrary, felt somewhat confused.

In the past, when Gu Weijing played the violin, he was so good that even the sparrows in the forest would run away with their bird's nests and buckets. It was as if a Muggle-repelling spell had been cast over the surrounding area, and it was almost rumored to be an urban legend. But Gu Weijing was still able to enjoy himself.

now.

He earned a lot of money, and his classmates liked him very much. After one performance, the change he received was enough to cover the bottom of his violin case.

Young people, on the contrary, feel confused.

This sounds a bit pretentious and affected.

This matter is actually both pretentious and incredibly affected.

However, I feel a bit lost.

The confusion that is both pretentious and overly affected is perhaps... still a genuine confusion.

Compared to his former self, has Gu Weijing pulled it better?

of course.

That's roughly the way to put it. Gu Weijing has indeed improved significantly compared to before, by a huge margin, to the point that he sounds like a completely different person.

Now, Gu Weijing can finally stand tall and proudly say that his violin playing doesn't sound like sawing wood, but like playing proper music.

This is better, this is "stronger", this is "completely different" than the works he created on paper with colored pencils a few years ago after he first learned "Menzel's Basic Techniques of Painting".

These two seemingly disparate individuals, while writing with identical strokes, possess a weight on the paper vastly different in their impact. The latter represents the difference between a watercolor master and an ordinary art student. The former, on the other hand, represents the difference between an ordinary amateur musician and an amateur woodworking enthusiast.

It is the result of so much hard work and practice over a long period of time, without any system, shortcuts, or "flash of inspiration."

To put it bluntly...

There isn't even any element of "talent" involved.

Despite lacking formal training, he is a talented, gifted, hardworking, and insightful young painter, and also an outstanding student in the international student art class.

As a violinist.

Gu Weijing isn't lying—he simply lacks talent.

To be honest, the external conditions for his learning the viola were absolutely flawless, far superior to his learning to paint. His first violin was a top-of-the-line instrument worth tens of thousands of euros, handcrafted piece by piece by a luthier. His first music teacher was a violinist from a top symphony orchestra who taught him to pronounce Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol. They rehearsed family concerts together every weekend, and he could play the violin alone, with a cow on the ranch that wouldn't wander off.

Occasionally, I would even fly to Vienna to attend a concert.

Even Mozart didn't receive this kind of treatment when he studied music. In a weaker system, this is probably the best that could be expected. And Gu Weijing's biggest improvement is that he can now play music that sounds "proper."

It's not that Gu Weijing is doing so well now.

It's because I used to be too frivolous and improper.

You can't blame the land for your incompetence; if you don't have talent, you simply don't have talent.

Gu Weijing believes that anyone in the world, as long as they put in the time and effort and practice diligently every day, can produce works similar to his.

And now-

His classmates said he played exceptionally well.

"Good" doesn't necessarily mean superb technique, but rather that his playing had a deeper meaning.

Is he trying to express something? Is there any hidden connection between his piano playing and the upcoming art exhibition at the Louvre Abu Dhabi?
Everyone flocked there upon hearing the news.

Everyone eagerly stretched out their ears, trying to hear in his earnest playing that subtle thread intertwined with "great" art.

It's as if there's a riddle laid out here.

Once it's solved.

That will unlock the glittering treasure.

Holding the playing cards, Gu Weijing recalled the words Miss Elena had initially written on the cards she had given him—

"Thank you. Would you be willing to do something for the sake of beautiful art?"

The students at the art academy seem to have already proven their willingness to do anything for beautiful art by holding a money box stuffed with banknotes in their hands.

Gu Weijing, clutching the money stuffed in his hand, thought to himself about the question Sarah had asked him.

There seems to be a hidden vein.

Artists may experience pain, struggle, and confusion, but they may also experience happiness, peace, joy, and smooth sailing.

no matter what.

When he reaches the end of this long, bumpy road, a golden palace awaits him.

"Gu Weijing".

Do you know Miles?
-
"Gu Weijing? He's just a piece of crap who only knows how to do marketing and hype."

The cafeteria of the music academy next to the art academy.

The Hamburg University of Music and Theatre was founded in 1950, originally as a private drama school. In terms of size, it is probably the largest art school in Germany and one of the top art schools in Europe. The school has multiple theaters and theatre halls of varying sizes, capable of staging symphony concerts, plays, and various stage performances.

Its main campus is even located in an old historical palace in the heart of Hamburg, which shows how unique this art school is.

Being able to hold annual performances in the hall, which students call the "Hall of Mirrors," is of great significance, even in the entire European classical music scene.

That's why some people keep saying...

Compared to the art academy next door, this is the most important university in the entire city of Hamburg.

Williams was not happy about being promoted to the position of principal violinist of the string section as a second-year student in this year's annual performance.

The right thing to do.

Who else but him deserves such an honor?
in contrast.

At that moment, Williams was sitting in a VIP-oriented French restaurant on campus next to the Paggi Palace, complaining loudly.

Has anyone seen videos of him playing the violin?

A familiar classmate nearby said.

“Willie pulls with his left hand, and he’s much better than Nara.”

Immediately, someone at the table echoed this sentiment.

Everyone laughed together.

"Alright, he's an artist, not a professional musician, why bother arguing with him?" Williams' agent was also here today.

The campus orchestra was just rehearsing.

She took several sets of photos while looking down at her phone, preparing to edit the photos, adjust the lighting, and sync them to her social media account.

With the release of publicity for the art exhibition, its popularity has increased significantly.

Some people are happy that someone is worried.

Some people go to listen to Gu Weijing's solo recital, while others look down on Gu Weijing's performance.

Teasing Gu Weijing during meals after rehearsals has almost become a regular pastime in Williams' inner circle.

"Where did his fingers go? They're so stiff, he really played terribly."

Williams said.

“It’s fine to say these things in private, but I really feel that some things… don’t need to be said on your social media platforms.” The agent also appeared very cautious, “At least, don’t say them on your official account.”

"If he dares to do it, why wouldn't he dare let others talk about it?"

Williams scoffed.

“I told him to listen, and that’s what music is. Of course, he might not understand music at all.”

Just as Williams and the others were talking.

Behind the curtain next door, a chubby cat smelled the aroma of food and poked its head out.

"Awang, don't run around. You can't eat anymore today."

The secretary reached out and forcefully dragged the orange cat back behind the curtain.

(End of this chapter)