Chapter 736 - 336: Seek Not Outside (Part 2)

From the process, it reveals Gu Weijing’s immaturity and inexperience.

On the contrary.

Old Yang, when doing business outside over these years, would often carry a recorder, only using an Android phone for work calls that conveniently allowed recording at any time.

All full of bitter lessons learned the hard way, the kind of experience that teaches you not to be careless around others.

The thin line between sweet talk and deceit.

Old Yang chose to speak the truth to Mr. Cao.

No sweet talk, Gu Weijing didn’t deserve it, he didn’t eat the rice from Little Gu’s home, so why should he, when a good word from him was worth something significant.

No deceit,

Because it was out of respect for Miss Koizumi Katsuko.

Also because this guy is understanding, always respectfully addressing me as Brother Yang or Mr. Yang on the phone, unlike Tang Ning, Liu Ziming, and such who loftily lectured him on the duties and roles of an assistant.

Old Yang could feel a sense of respect.

He didn’t care about titles; even if someone called him a "bastard," he wouldn’t mind.

In the face of tangible benefits, respect didn’t matter much.

But hearts are made of flesh, and nobody likes serving their ancestors, yet who would dislike a polite young person with a sweet and courteous mouth?

Gu Weijing didn’t know that his way of interacting with people not only warmed the orphans but also earned him emotional points from Old Yang personally.

[Ordinary human nature] — In the pressure and temptation from Tang Ning, Old Yang was willing to say this fair evaluation, feeling from deep inside that he’s a good person.

"Ordinary human nature, ordinary human nature..."

Cao Xuan walked into the elevator.

The old man stared at the bright chrome panel in the elevator, softly repeating these four words several times.

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Did someone say something to that child? Originally painting well, why suddenly became worried."

The elevator descended.

With his finger, the old man tapped lightly on the cane in a rhythmic "dada," then asked casually, "Lin Tao has a good relationship with that kid. Was it Ziming or Xiaoning?"

Today is the last time in April that Cao Xuan gave a course to ordinary students at the Hamburg Academy of Fine Arts.

In a few days, he would fly to Austria to attend the annual art conference.

The old man returned from Yangon.

Besides teaching, he was busy with this internationally influential schedule.

He didn’t pay much attention to online interview previews, and even for Tang Ning’s historic spring auction night in Xiangjiang, he wasn’t personally present, just made a private call the next day at noon to express encouragement and expectations.

Mr. Cao himself didn’t care.

Old Yang wouldn’t overstep by forwarding Miss Tang Ning’s old friend’s personality video to the employer, risking to provoke the teacher-student relationship.

Tang Ning didn’t mention it either.

Anyway, with the full cover interview with Lady Tangning officially out in the "Oil Painting" magazine, the teacher who read every issue was bound to see it.

"It was Lady Tangning who, during a live interview, um, um... gave Brother Gu a bit of encouragement," Old Yang carefully chose his words, "the general idea being that at a similar age, his level differed significantly from Miss Tang at the time."

"Good medicine is bitter, honest advice is hard to hear. In such an important occasion as the "Oil Painting" magazine interview, hearing Ms. Tang’s words, Gu Weijing probably felt a bit uneasy."

"I figured it was Xiaoning, among my disciples, only she still has the temperament of a young girl. This kind of thing is something Xiaoning would do."

Cao Xuan wasn’t really surprised.

He pursed his lips and glanced at Old Yang.

"Sir?"

Old Yang was a bit uneasy under the gaze.

"How much did you take from Xiaoning to speak up for her? Honest advice hard to hear? These should be split into two to hear, considering Ah Ning’s personality, she probably wasn’t in a mood to ’encourage’ that young man to create, right? I guess, her original words, would likely be quite hard to hear, whether they’re honest advice, well, that’s hard to say."

Mr. Cao asked mockingly.

Old Yang clenched his fists, his palms sweating slightly, forced to a sheepish smile.

Anyone with brains would know how to choose between Tang Ning and Gu Weijing.

Not backstabbing Gu, Old Yang was already satisfying his conscience.

Here with Tang Ning, of course, he would pick pleasant words.

Unrelated to personal feelings or preferences, it’s all about strength.

Brother Gu couldn’t blame others, who told him he’s incompetent.

Leaving that aside.

If he could finish his paintings swiftly, neatly securing a gold award from the Lion City Art Exhibition, Old Yang could at least stay neutral, if he then also simultaneously painted a few more works to slap in Tang Ning’s face, surpassing her status, Old Yang would definitely bootlick him just as he had with Tang Ning.

Unfortunately.

How could that be possible?

Age, experience, background, everyone is worlds apart, after all, painters speak through their paintings.

In and out of the canvas, Gu Weijing had no advantage,

Then just accept fate practically, don’t be resentful when you’re mercilessly trampled on.

However, seeing through Mr. Cao’s clear eyes that showed no impurity, Old Yang felt a chill down his spine.

Spending so much time with the old man got him accustomed to using workplace rhetoric, forgetting that Cao Xuan wasn’t one of those great painters who couldn’t take care of themselves in daily life.

The old man had witnessed countless highs and lows, storms, and turmoils in his lifetime.

What gave him the courage to manipulate words directly in front of Cao Xuan, thinking Mr. Cao couldn’t see through him?

Old Yang felt a bit fortunate that he didn’t say anything overly excessive or gossipy.

Otherwise.

The one who might suffer the most might not be Gu Weijing.

"Mr. Cao, I..."

"Alright, it’s not your fault. Xiaoning has been a proud person since she was a child. Anything she likes, none of her senior brothers or sisters could snatch from her. Her reaction is not surprising to me."

"It’s just... a bit of a small tantrum. But I, as an old guy, can understand the feelings of young people."

Cao Xuan saw the assistant becoming a bit helpless and lifted him up gently.

No one is a sage; having personal emotional tendencies and willing to speak up for Tang Ning is normal, and anyone in Old Yang’s position would make a similar choice.

Old Yang felt relieved hearing Mr. Cao’s words.

Even if Tang Ning harbored malice towards him or Gu Weijing, Cao Xuan didn’t even utter anything harsh other than a playful remark of "capriciousness."

See!

Deep down, the elder was still closer to the young female disciple who grew up by his side.

Indeed, he didn’t choose the wrong side.

Old Yang lowered his head, wiping his sweat with the back of his hand.

He didn’t notice the fleeting, uncontrollable disappointment in Mr. Cao Xuan’s eyes reflected on the elevator wall.

"Ordinary human nature."

Mr. Cao sighed in his heart.

In the short conversation, the most reasonable words his assistant uttered were these four words, and also the ones that left him utterly disappointed were these four words.

His female disciple Tang Ning, unwilling to be a senior who cares for and enlightens the younger ones, chose to oppress and attack Gu Weijing, which was ordinary human nature.

Gu Weijing being scolded a few times by a great painter in public and then eagerly painting something as if he’s showcasing himself like a peacock wasn’t wrong either, it’s also ordinary human nature.

But did he, Cao Xuan, when selecting disciples, only aim to pick out average "ordinary human nature" people? What justified mere ordinary people taking on the responsibilities shouldered on his shoulders?

Painting talent is, of course, very important.

Combine painting talent, effort, and luck, at most, they can yield a top-painter.

To become his successor, or even surpass him, the most crucial factor isn’t talent, isn’t skill... but "mentality."

Cao Xuan certainly looked forward to seeing the progress of juniors.

But under such restlessness, what sort of calm can the paintings delivered possess?

Exhibition like a peacock, can it really contribute meaningful results?

"Gu, I sincerely wish that upon hearing Xiaoning’s sarcasm, you’d remain unfazed, staying calm and composed. Regardless of the turbulence outside, you can flawlessly paint your work. This would bring me far more joy than seeing you hastily produce a chaotic thousand paintings under anxiety."

"Whether it’s Tang Ning or Gu Weijing, when the four words [ordinary human nature] can be replaced by the four words [seek not outside], perhaps at that time, I can finally lay down the burden."

Mr. Cao truly felt exhausted.