People Close to Him

Painters-or rather, anyone who wanted to make a name for themselves and reach a wider audience-had only three paths to take.

The first was recognition within the industry. Shi Zhou had already signed with Pace Gallery, so he could leave exhibitions and sales entirely to the professionals and concentrate on painting. That was far better than trying to do everything alone.

Joining "Heart-Pounding Expedition" had inadvertently put him on the second path: public exposure.

The audience now knew Shi Zhou was a young, gifted painter, and quite a few people had specifically searched for the paintings he had sold on consignment through Muse. His visibility had grown by far more than a little.

The opportunity Yu Manman brought him was precisely the third path.

She stamped her feet in excitement and said, "Before I came on the show, Moon Over the Stream was developing a new milk tea. Sister Wang even mentioned how worried she was because they couldn't settle on the packaging."

She looked at Shi Zhou's painting again and marveled, "Your painting style is exactly what she said she wanted."

Grand and sweeping, yet delicate in its brushwork.

She finally understood the feeling Sister Wang was after!

Somewhat overwhelmed by the compliment, Shi Zhou pointed at himself. "My painting?"

Moon Over the Stream was a long-established milk tea brand, with chain stores and franchises throughout interstellar space. It was a familiar midrange brand. Surely his paintings weren't good enough.

Yu Manman shook her head and laughed.

"Not for their entire product range. Just one new drink."

She planted her hands on her hips. "Besides, you're a Muse painter. Your work is good, and you bring your own audience. If I were Moon Over the Stream, I'd be dying to ride that wave."

Heart-Pounding Expedition plus a ridiculously handsome guy-how much would that save them in publicity costs? They'd be fools not to take advantage.

Hehe, it had been pure luck today, too. She had been about to leave when she happened to glance inside Shi Zhou's room and spotted the painting. Otherwise, she would have missed it.

She had seen Shi Zhou's paintings before, especially the "Night Banquet Painting," which she particularly loved.

She had initially made it into a projected wallpaper for her Mindnet, but after thinking it over, she had deleted it.

Shi Zhou smiled. "Manman, thank you for the compliment."

"If you're willing, could you help put me in touch with them?"

Still, he knew the system wasn't actually all that powerful. It could only offer him opportunities at the right moments; the results depended on him.

Yu Manman was delighted to have Shi Zhou ask her for help. "Come on, come on! Follow Mommy to find Bai Shen. He knows more about this."

With such an impressive guest around, it would be a waste not to tap into his expertise!

It wasn't raining outside now, so the three of them simply sat in the courtyard to talk.

Peach blossoms unfurled one after another among the branches, crowding the tender green tips. The three sat beneath the tree, and when the wind blew, a few rain-battered petals trembled and drifted down in flecks of pale pink.

Bai Shen looked at his half-finished painting and nodded. "It's more than good enough for packaging."

He came from a distinguished family, so naturally, he had an eye for art.

Besides, although experience and age mattered in painting and calligraphy, talent mattered even more.

How could someone who had gotten into Interstellar First Academy lack talent?

Propping her chin on her hand, Yu Manman told Shi Zhou, "See? I told you. You can definitely do it."

Shi Zhou sat obediently with both hands resting on his legs. He smiled at her and blinked. "Whether it works out or not, I'll treat you to a meal."

"Hahahaha, really?" Yu Manman twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "You're way too easy to sweet-talk, Little Shi Zhou. Two sentences and you're buying me dinner?"

Shi Zhou said, "Well, you know how to appreciate good art."

Yu Manman found Shi Zhou such a ray of sunshine that she couldn't help laughing. "You're so full of yourself!"

So he meant his paintings were good, then.

Bai Shen lifted his eyes from the painting. Seeing him look his way, Shi Zhou hurriedly added, "Brother Shen, you're invited too."

Whether this worked out or not, his two friends had helped him. He had to thank them.

Besides, after dinner, the two of them could have some time alone together. Ah, he had to be the most dedicated little cannon fodder around, always remembering to play matchmaker for the CP.

Bai Shen watched him cup his face in both hands, his eyes curving with a smile over whatever had crossed his mind.

He couldn't help chuckling either. Leaning back, he unconsciously let a little of his big-boss presence show.

"Then, Mr. Shi, please explain the creative concept behind this painting."

Mr. Shi?

Why the sudden change in address?

Bai Shen must be stepping into the role of an interviewer to give me a preliminary assessment, right?

Shi Zhou put away his smile and spoke with confidence. "This painting combines the texture of oils with the evocative atmosphere of Eastern landscape painting..."

"...the ease of a gentle evening breeze, the tenderness of a setting sun bathing golden mountains in warmth. Rather than emphasizing the mountains' weight and solidity, the brushwork conveys nature's leisure and healing calm."

At the end, he cleverly added,

"This style can bring viewers a sense of peace, which fits perfectly with the relaxed pleasure of drinking milk tea. I also wanted to bring the beauty of Eastern landscapes closer to those gentle moments in everyday life."

He remembered that Moon Over the Stream's main selling point was the easy pleasure of everyday tea drinking, which also suited milk tea's character.

Besides, why was Moon Over the Stream launching a new landscape-themed product line?

Wasn't it for the beautiful packaging?

Something that looked good and tasted good would better meet young people's needs.

-Clap, clap, clap! A round of applause! That was so well said, Zhouzhou!

-Wow, he thinks so fast. Bai Shen was a hundred times scarier than my boss just now. I'd honestly be unable to speak in front of him, sob.

Under Shi Zhou's eager gaze, Bai Shen uncrossed his legs and smiled at him. "Not bad."

It wasn't just that the painting was good. More importantly, he was quick on his feet and knew exactly what was needed.

The big boss of the Universal Group had complimented him! Shi Zhou tamped down his little swell of pride.

Bai Shen then tested him on layout, art licensing, brand identity, and other matters. Each question was harder than the last, and Shi Zhou racked his brains to answer them all.

This time, Bai Shen offered no further assessment. He only said,

"If you have questions later, you can come to me."

Apart from being rather clumsy with matters of the heart, he was quite capable in other respects.

"Great!"

Hearing that, Shi Zhou immediately sprang up. First, he gave Yu Manman a gentle hug, then rushed over to hug Bai Shen.

He could be less restrained with another guy, so he wrapped Bai Shen in a firm hug. Bai Shen could feel the warmth radiating from him, and his right index finger twitched slightly.

"I was just about to praise you for being composed." Bai Shen sounded helpless.

Shi Zhou kept an arm around his shoulders, his laughter making Bai Shen's body shake slightly along with his own. It was an unusual feeling, but not a bad one.

The young man's voice was bright and clear. "Just now, I was Mr. Shi. Now, I'm Little Shi Zhou. I don't have to be composed around people I'm close to."

With that, he sprang away and ran off. "I'll go make something to thank you both-"

Yu Manman stood up as well and smiled. "I'll contact Sister Wang right now."

Sitting beneath the peach tree, Bai Shen's handsome features softened slightly.

Someone he was close to, huh.

He really was...