Chapter 36: Well, It’s Just First Place

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Netizens all over the country were looking forward to it!

When Shen Jing, Fu Linyuan, and Mu Sinian arrived, the host had already begun announcing the rankings.

“Shen Jing, what place do you think you can get?” Mu Sinian asked curiously.

Shen Jing replied indifferently, “Well, it’s just first place.”

Mu Sinian chuckled and said to Fu Linyuan, “Brother, your wife is so confident. I went to ask around just now and heard there’s a genius in the Chinese Art competition this time. Look at those old folks in the judging panel, they are all waiting to grab and take the first-place winner as their disciple.”

Fu Linyuan glanced at Shen Jing and handed her a cup of warm water.

Shen Jing took a sip and asked Fu Linyuan, “Do you think I can get first place?”

Before Fu Linyuan could answer, Mu Sinian sneered, “If you can get first place, I’ll wash my hair while doing a headstand!”

As soon as Mu Sinian finished speaking, the host’s voice resounded, “The first-place winner of the Chinese Art competition is… Shen Jing!”

Mu Sinian was speechless.

Shen Jing stood up calmly. The moment she stood up, all the old folks in the Chinese Arts Section rose and rushed towards Shen Jing! God knows how excited they were when they saw that painting!

“So, you’re Shen Jing?”

“Student Shen, would you be interested in joining the Chinese Arts Academy?”

“Get out of the way! Forget about the Chinese Arts Academy. Shen Jing, do you want to be my disciple?”

A group of old folks surrounded Shen Jing, arguing heatedly, their faces flushed and necks bulging. Everyone was bewildered. These were all famous figures in the Chinese Art world, and now they were fighting over Shen Jing? What had she painted?

At the same time, the host slowly unfolded Shen Jing’s painting. The entire venue fell into silence for a moment. A few seconds later, ear-piercing screams erupted.

On the scroll, the mighty Yangtze River and Yellow River rolled along, with mountains and valleys stretching endlessly. There was also a desolate figure dressed in military uniform, silently gazing at the mountains and rivers, raising his head in a military salute. He seemed to be quite old, with a hunched back. The hand he saluted with was full of wrinkles, yet resolute and firm, as if saluting the mountains and rivers he once defended, paying tribute to his comrades-in-arms who had fought alongside him.

Old Master Mu’s eyes were wet. As a military man, he couldn’t bear to see such scenes. At a glance, it reminded him of the heroic years and the comrades-in-arms he had fought alongside. It also stirred the passion in his heart.

The venue remained silent for a full minute before applause and cheers broke out.

“Ah! The painting is so incredible! Now I finally understand why those old folks in the Chinese art world are fighting over her!”

“I declare that Shen Jing is my goddess from today onwards!”

“The person who painted this is the same one who gave the opening speech at the Arts Festival, right? My goodness, she’s so good-looking, fluent in English, and incredibly skilled at Chinese painting! What an amazing life!”

“But am I the only one who feels that this doesn’t look like a painting a student like Shen Jing could create? Aside from the color coordination, even the brushwork doesn’t seem like something a young girl could produce.”

Meanwhile, the several old heads of the Traditional Chinese Painting Academy were still fighting over Shen Jing. No one wanted to let go. Only Qin Mu remained seated in his chair, snorting. What use was there to fight over her? Shen Jing was his disciple! No one could take her away!

At this moment, the host called Shen Jing up to receive her award. Qiao Boyue looked at Shen Jing, who was the center of attention, and knew that the time had come. The higher Shen Jing climbed, the harder she would fall.

The host announced, “And now, the first-place winner of the Arts Festival’s Chinese painting competition is…”

“Wait!” Qiao Boyue suddenly stood up, interrupting the host. The host was taken aback, and everyone else looked at Qiao Boyue.

“Teacher, I don’t think Shen Jing deserves this championship,” Qiao Boyue said. The whole venue fell silent, and Qin Mu’s smile slowly faded as he stared at Qiao Boyue.

Qin Mu said, “You think Shen Jing doesn’t deserve it. Then who does? You?”

Qiao Boyue didn’t expect Qin Mu to suddenly speak up. She choked for a moment but gritted her teeth and said, “This painting is indeed excellent, but I want to ask Shen Jing if this painting is her original work.”

“Qiao Boyue, what do you mean by that?” The teacher in charge of hosting the event had already shown dissatisfaction. Qiao Boyue had always been obedient and sensible, so why was she causing trouble at such an occasion?

“Shen Jing, I don’t want Jingcheng University to be humiliated because of you, but I can’t bear to watch any longer!” Qiao Boyue spoke righteously, “As long as you admit your mistake now and give up the award, I will give you a chance to apologize.” Her words were ambiguous, but no one was a fool. Did she mean that Shen Jing didn’t paint the painting herself?