The teacher observed behind Meng Huange for almost half the class until the bell rang on the hour.
He suddenly looked around, then clapped his hands.
“All right, it’s almost time to end class. Everyone, please hand in your artwork.”
Then he quietly reminded Meng Huange, “Meng Huange, there are three minutes left. Will you finish in time?”
“Mm.”
Meng Huange still didn’t raise her head and softly replied.
The teacher withdrew his gaze and sat down to start critiquing the submitted works.
“Liu Shanshan, your shape is good, but some parts are over-detailed, making the whole composition less harmonious. Try balancing that next time.”
“Zhang Shiyu, your initial shape was off, but the excessive background detail improved the completeness, barely meeting your previous standard.”
“Du Xinxin… ahem, the style is a problem, but at least you changed the hairstyle to look like Zhang Shiyu’s, so good job following instructions.”
“As for Jin Xinxin… hmm, where’s your partner?”
As the students handed in their assignments one by one, Su Wanli finally finished her painting and sighed as she gave her paper to the teacher.
He glanced at it briefly, nodded, and said in a deep voice,
“…This time, I want to especially praise Su Wanli. Although your brushwork is still immature, this is your most conscientious effort, following the key points I initially emphasized for both sketching and detailing. Unlike some others who, when unsure, sneak in little tricks.”
Zhang Shiyu, having been subtly called out, laughed and lightly tapped Su Wanli’s head, sticking her tongue out at Du Xinxin and Wen Manman nearby.
Finally, after reviewing the batch, the teacher’s gaze turned to Meng Huange, who was still working.
“Teacher, I’m done too.”
Meng Huange took a deep breath, finally putting down her brush and handing over her long-detailed sketch.
Looking at the longest-worked-on piece in his hands, the teacher pursed his lips and sighed softly.
“Meng Huange, to be honest, the first time I saw your canvas, I was very worried about whether you could finish this painting well.”
“Currently, it does need improvement. Although you specially added some scenery and lighting effects to the sketch, they look quite rough and serve only as atmospheric touches.”
…Sigh, class dismissed?
After all, painting isn’t Meng Huange’s strong suit. It’s normal if she can’t do it well. Maybe I’ve been asking too much.
Su Wanli sighed and quietly started pondering how to create the next explosive moment.
However, the teacher’s critique was not over.
“But your depiction of the figure and atmosphere masks these flaws.”
He stood up from his chair, showed the painting to other students, and smiled.
“Even though this image is from the eye before us and not limited to it, to put this much emotion and imagination into a twenty-minute sketch is truly commendable.”
On the paper was a young woman dressed in a gorgeous evening gown, her expression mournful yet resolute as she leaned back under the setting sun.
Her dress flared like petals rising gracefully, and soft strands of hair scattered in the air, as if performing a dangerous dance or endlessly falling into an abyss.
Though just black and white lines, it made one’s heart feel tightly gripped, worrying about the fate of the girl in the drawing.
The students’ eyes widened in awe as they looked at the teacher’s painting.
“Wow, amazing…”
“Is this… Su Wanli’s work?”
“Same face, but such a huge difference in aura!”
Indeed, the girl’s face on the painting was identical to Su Wanli’s but without the coldness—she radiated a genuine vitality.
“So this is how Meng Huange sees the eldest sister. Surprisingly elegant.”
“The eldest sister usually looks elegant too only when she’s silent.”
Even the younger art students started seriously stroking their chins and scratching their heads while looking at the canvas.
“Sigh, I thought I was irreplaceable, looks like I need to find another specialty.”
After showing the painting around, the teacher sighed regretfully.
“Unfortunately, maybe due to time constraints, your background details seem somewhat casual, which somewhat disrupts the hidden narrative in the painting. If you had more time, you might consider refining the background. As it is, it’s still a bit lacking.”
He handed the paper back to Meng Huange with a smile.
“Meng Huange, if you can take this painting home and refine it, I might be able to reserve you a spot in the next art exhibition. There are many high school students with technical skills, but few with the kind of imagination you possess.”
At this moment, the system’s voice rang softly in Su Wanli’s ear.
[Host has once again triggered a plot explosive moment in art class! Current explosive moments achieved: 2.]
[By continually applying provocation, you have successfully ignited the heroine’s inner competitiveness and rebellious spirit, allowing her to showcase her exquisite drawing talent in art class. Well done.]
[You have met the minimum requirement for the sudden mission; an extra reward will be given during tonight’s settlement. Please look forward to it.]
Hearing this, Su Wanli finally let out a breath she’d been holding.
From the moment the teacher began explaining Meng Huange’s painting, the second explosive moment prompt flickered on and off. After the teacher finished critiquing the scenery and lighting, the prompt almost completely disappeared.
Thankfully, the ending was still good.
As expected of Meng Huange whenever she wanted to show off, her brilliance truly shone.
However, for some reason, Meng Huange didn’t take the painting from the teacher but instead scratched her head and smiled at Su Wanli.
“Thank you, teacher, for your recognition. But I think you misunderstood something. Nothing on this canvas is from my imagination. I only realistically recorded the truest image of Miss Su. Even this evening gown is what Miss Su was wearing at the time.”
…Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? Since when have I been dancing or jumping off a building in front of her?
Su Wanli scratched her head and seriously studied Meng Huange’s painting.
The late afternoon sunlight slanted gently, the door ajar with light spilling through, the beautiful girl leaning back with her skirt flying, and faint droplets of water suspended in the air.
Damn! This is the kind of intimidating presence you show when you visit somewhere for the first time!?