Amelia Wright slept for a whole day and night, feeling she had slept too long, and her head was slightly feverish.
She washed her face with cold water to make herself a bit more awake.
Her stomach was slightly cramping, possibly from hunger, but she didn't feel like eating anything.
She simply changed her clothes and went out.
The old town after the rain had a damp, desolate, and dilapidated atmosphere.
The people in the old town, who didn't know what news they received from Elijah Jefferson yesterday.
Today they looked at Amelia Wright with incredible friendliness, completely treating Amelia Wright as one of their own.
In fact, someone even greeted Amelia Wright this morning: "Good morning!"
Amelia Wright was slightly surprised but responded gently: "Morning."
...
Elegant Art Academy.
Today's school celebration was very lively.
Because in each exhibition area of various majors, there were quite a few renowned individuals invited from outside the academy to visit, and each student was putting in their best effort to perform.
At this moment, the Academy of Calligraphy and Painting had the most people.
Because Master Painter Robert Reed was here.
The weight of his visit was enough to surpass all the other renowned individuals present collectively today.
Students came from far and wide for his name, even those not pursuing Chinese painting, rushed over to the Academy of Calligraphy and Painting.
It was understood that such a maestro was rarely seen, and if luck favored today, one might even get to say a word to the maestro.
At this moment, Robert Reed was standing before a painting, having stopped there for a long while.
No student dared to disturb; they just quietly watched, seeing whose painting the maestro was looking at.
Then all of them saw the signature on the painting, Ava Wright.
Suddenly, everyone cast envious glances at Ava Wright, deserving to be the top student in the Chinese painting major, no wonder she was known as the campus beauty of Elegant Art, truly both beautiful and excellent.
Ava Wright was almost holding her breath nearby.
After a long look, Robert Reed asked, "Who painted this painting?"
This was the first thing Robert Reed said in the Academy of Calligraphy and Painting.
What did this represent? It represented that this painting caught Robert Reed's eye.
Ava Wright was in a golden dress, her hair elegantly pinned up, exuding a noble aura, and surrounded by classmates, she couldn't hide her joy as she answered, "Old Mr. Reed, this painting is my work."
Robert Reed looked at Ava Wright's attire and demeanor, then at the painting, feeling a bit incongruent.
Thoughtfully, he asked, "Isn't this painting unfinished?"
Ava's heart skipped a beat, not daring to question, could only muster up the courage to say, "Old Mr. Reed, you must be joking; this painting is completed; it's due to Ava's poor technique that it's received such a laughable critique from the maestro."
Robert Reed was infamous for his bad temper, yet seeing his attitude still fairly amiable, the students around Ava Wright also helped to explain.
"Old Mr. Reed, you can't use your standard to judge us rookies still studying here."
"Ava is just being humble; her work is already one of the best in our school."
"Yes, even the professors praised her painting for having charisma."
Robert Reed acknowledged: "Not bad, there is emotion in this painting; it can be considered a fine piece."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the Academy of Calligraphy and Painting looked at Ava Wright.
The way people looked at Ava Wright was filled with admiration and envy.
Everyone knew Old Mr. Reed seldom gave praise.
For someone studying Chinese painting to receive even one word of acknowledgment from Robert Reed was simply the highest honor.
Ava Wright tried to appear humble, but the uncontrollable upturn of her lips betrayed the pride she couldn't hide.
Her voice, edged with excitement, was a bit sharp: "Old Mr. Reed, you're flattering me; I still need to work harder in the future. You mentioned this painting isn't finished, might I have the chance to privately consult you on this painting's issues?"
Ava Wright noticed Robert Reed had an interest in this painting; though her words were somewhat bold, she had to seize the opportunity.
She wanted to take Robert Reed as her mentor, but Robert Reed never accepted students.
If she could consult privately, back and forth, it could earn her the title of a registered student, and her future standing in the Chinese painting field would be different.
Everyone knew Robert Reed never casually pointed out issues in others' paintings; however, Robert Reed did not immediately refuse, seemingly considering it.
This was promising!
Today, regardless of whether Robert Reed would agree in the end, Ava Wright had already made a significant impression.
Ava Wright's breathing became increasingly rapid, the anticipation in her eyes growing.
Robert Reed was originally going to refuse out of habit, but this painting made him hesitate.
Nowadays, many works focus on technical creation, lacking that spirit and emotion. Although it still seemed this painting was unfinished, the emotions within it were so intense.
The sense of suffocating despair reflected in the strokes created a resonance within him, and although this girl's image and demeanor greatly contrasted with the painting, perhaps her superficial flamboyance and arrogance were just a facade.
After considering for a while, Robert Reed opened his mouth to say, "You can…"
Before he could finish, Robert Reed suddenly paused, looking towards the entrance of the Academy of Calligraphy and Painting.
A girl had unexpectedly entered.
Everyone was dressed in grand attire, with bright makeup.
Yet this girl wore nothing but a simple white dress, her face devoid of makeup, her entire being unadorned by jewelry, only pale.
Like a drop of pure white falling into a vast spectrum of mixed colors.
Incongruous, yet drawing everyone's attention.
Amelia Wright had arrived.
Robert Reed wasn't looking at Amelia Wright's appearance, only feeling that this girl was so much like the soul captured within that painting, making him stop speaking instinctively.