Chapter 561 - 261: Countertrend Growth

Don’t get me wrong.

Maca still doesn’t have a good impression of Detective Cat.

If grassroots amateur artists painting casually online can catch the eye and rise to fame, what’s the point of those prestigious Art Academy students who have studied long and hard?

The round-faced girl’s professional stance naturally aligns with art critics.

At this very moment.

Maca still prefers to believe in her original point of view.

In terms of deep artistic conception and art philosophy, Detective Cat’s works are definitely as the shareholders of "Oil Painting" have criticized: vulgar pieces that are hardly fit for elegant settings.

By sheer coincidence... Detective Cat painted them beautifully.

That’s all there is to it.

Truly great art requires, like "War and Peace," a balance of strength and depth.

It needs both exceptional technique and profound spirit.

Grassroots artists on the internet occasionally can create visually striking works.

But they generally lack systematic aesthetic education and a deep understanding of artistic philosophy.

Beyond beautiful visuals, there’s a relative lack of deeper artistic meaning.

This must be why the big shots dismiss Detective Cat.

A beautiful facade, but empty spirit.

Detective Cat is merely a craftsman, not an artist.

In fact, Maca hasn’t figured out what kind of illustration for a fairy tale would be considered to have profound artistic depth in the minds of those renowned art critics.

But this is the only plausible guess she can think of right now.

No matter how unaccepted painting knife art is.

After holding this new edition of "Little Prince," if Maca were to call these illustrations flawed amateur work.

Maca really doesn’t believe that.

Even if the only merit of these illustrations is their beauty, if they can reach such a level of beauty—deep inside her, she is truly touched.

Detective Cat’s rich oil paint strokes are like the layers of hyacinths falling on the outskirts of London in early autumn by the railway.

The withering weeds in the cracks of the tracks are not essentially inferior in any way to the fallen flowers.

Yet they can make one gaze in a trance.

Just like facing Xiaolizi’s stunning looks, do girls really care about the American Film Union’s twenty-year-long criticism that his performances are hollow and overly forceful, and that he relies on looks?

"Maybe... I’ll just buy a copy."

As Maca stared at the cover of the "Little Prince" illustration longer, the little person supporting buying the book had an increasing impulse to drown the opposing little person.

It’s not just Maca who was moved by the illustrations and changed her mind.

When Maca went to the restroom, she encountered the artsy young woman with pink earrings, who was touching up her makeup in front of the mirror while on the phone with her boyfriend talking about the signing event.

The girl, who insisted before entering that she preferred the original illustrations, changed her mind in such a short time.

Her tone during the conversation was filled with affection for Detective Cat’s illustrations.

While Maca was washing her hands beside her, she hardly heard any mention of the excitement of meeting translator Charlie Hawke.

And this is a fan who came specifically for Mr. Hawke, the translator!

What kind of fan loyalty is that?

More surprisingly, Maca saw the black international student in the queue.

This cash-strapped guy was not only in line to buy a book but was holding a more durable hardcover version!

Please,

Isn’t spending money on a big pizza around the corner to munch on more appealing?

"Maca? What are you doing over here?"

Kelly circled the bookstore several times before finally finding her friend in the depths of a large bookstore.

The blonde girl saw Maca holding a fairy tale book, biting her nails deeply focused.

As a friend living in the same dorm, she instantly sensed the conflicted aura around Maca.

"See, I told you it’s good. Detective Cat’s artistic level is good enough to be a professor at our academy."

Kelly said, hands on her hips, with a face full of "I told you so."

Looking extraordinarily smug.

"Hmph, professors at our school generally need a Ph.D. and from a top art academy, she’s just an online painter with no qualification. Also... our school doesn’t even offer a painting knife elective, it’s too informal."

Maca retorted.

"So you don’t like it, huh?" Kelly wasn’t buying it.

"Hmph, consider it a stroke of luck she painted well this time. I separate issues; although I don’t like her, this book isn’t that bad. Royal Academy students finding these illustrations too childish are overreacting, for kids they’re just fine. Let me be clear, this isn’t for me, just an Easter gift."

Maca took the book and headed for the checkout.

"Stubborn as a mule."

Kelly chuckled, nudging her friend’s waist.

"What are you laughing at, girl? I keep my word, and when I make a bet, I don’t back out. I’ll handle the sewing this semester."

Maca, determined not to lose, took out her phone in front of Kelly, dialing her boyfriend’s number directly.

"Hi, dear. We arranged to go fishing in the Scottish Highlands next weekend, right? No... nothing’s wrong, just book two rooms instead at the hotel... It’s not you; I’ll explain tonight... Don’t argue, you say you love me, right? And what’s wrong with not sharing a room? Just do it..."