The curtains were instantly drawn, plunging the room into darkness.
The holographic projector was turned on, and the video appeared two seconds later.
A spacious art studio, with white walls and black floors. A group of men and women of various ages sat behind their easels, sweating as they applied paint.
The camera pushed forward.
A small, hunched figure stood with hands behind his back, surveying the easels.
His build was that of a child, but his face was deeply lined with wrinkles, his expression meticulously serious, and his eyes sharp as knives. He looked like an ancient monster in charge of a sect from a fantasy novel.
Jiang Senlin!
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng were slightly surprised. In just over a month, their son had developed such an imposing aura?
The students painting were clearly both in awe and fear of Jiang Senlin. Whenever Jiang Senlin approached an easel, the student beside it would immediately stand up, hands respectfully by their sides, their expressions as timid as a mouse meeting an old cat.
Jiang Senlin would occasionally offer critiques.
Whenever he spoke, those painting nearby would strain their ears to listen.
It was as if Jiang Senlin's words were divine music, capable of extending life and prolonging years for mortals who heard them.
Occasionally, Jiang Senlin would even demonstrate by painting a few strokes himself.
His disciples nearby were so grateful they were almost in tears, bowing repeatedly and expressing profuse thanks to their teacher. If the space hadn't been so confined, they might have even kowtowed to express their gratitude.
Jiang Ye was dumbfounded.
Every student present was older than Jiang Senlin. A considerable proportion were elderly. A group of old men showing such deference to a child was a truly bizarre spectacle!
Suddenly, Jiang Senlin patted a young man on the shoulder.
"You don't need to come anymore," Jiang Senlin said with disdain.
"Teacher... I've been painting diligently!" the young man panicked.
"You've been painting diligently and it still looks like this? You have no talent, find another profession." Jiang Senlin turned to leave. "Security, help him pack up his painting supplies."
"Teacher! I think my painting is quite good!" The young man, flustered, rushed to catch up.
"It's good? This kind of painting isn't even worthy of framing; it's more suited to being torn up and thrown into the mud," Jiang Senlin turned back, staring coldly at him.
The young man's face turned pale, then quickly flushed red, his complexion shifting rapidly.
"After it's thrown into the mud, if I happen to pass by, I'll definitely add a splash of hot urine to it," Jiang Senlin continued, staring at him.
The young man looked like he was about to burst into tears.
"This way, a thirsty dog will carry your painting away, and that would be its best destination," Jiang Senlin continued unhurriedly. "Do something else. There are so many jobs in the world, all of them can earn a living. Give up on your painting dreams, you look like a fool."
The young man burst into tears.
Jiang Senlin, with a cold indifference, walked away with his hands behind his back to examine the next disciple's painting.
The video ended.
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng stared at each other, dumbfounded.
"Where did our son learn such foul language?" Cen Yemeng asked incredulously.
"His mouth is truly unforgiving! How did our son develop the demeanor of a villain from a movie about artistic pursuits?" Jiang Ye's heart churned with shock.
Soon, Li Nannan's call came again.
"You've watched the video, right? Jiang Senlin has taken over a hundred disciples now, teaching them one by one. He loves this, and he teaches with great seriousness. Among his disciples are many renowned masters of painting, as well as some emerging young talents in the art world. It's not easy to gather such a prestigious group of students. Since Jiang Senlin is willing to be a teacher, let him continue for a few more days. As long as these students acknowledge Jiang Senlin as their teacher after they graduate, it will absolutely solidify his position in the art world," Li Nannan said in a rapid-fire manner.
"Director, I'd like to ask a question..." Jiang Ye hesitated. "Jiang Senlin is still so young, why can he speak such sharp and cutting words to his disciples? He was still like a child when he left home, and now he puts on more airs than I do!"
"I don't know where he learned it, but we did a physical examination for him a couple of days ago. This child's brain capacity is 50 milliliters higher than normal, and his brain's connectivity is also very peculiar, with a different structure from ordinary people," Li Nannan said. "I can feel that this child is extremely intelligent. He's good at reading people and understands most of what adults say."
"This..." Jiang Ye was shocked again.
"I think his experiences during this time might have changed him," Li Nannan said. "You weren't there to witness it. When he paints from a high vantage point, the studio is truly filled with everyone's attention and admiration. The atmosphere is quite intimidating. It's the first time in my life I've experienced something like that firsthand. I suspect Jiang Senlin might have realized his talent and his confidence has exploded, hence his arrogance now."
"How does he treat you?" Jiang Ye frowned.
"He treats me the same as always. He can distinguish between the world inside and outside the art studio," Li Nannan said. "However, he now realizes the difference between public occasions and when there are cameras around. When others are present, he's very well-behaved. When he's alone with me, he'll act spoiled and ask for ice cream."
Cen Yemeng reached out and took the phone. "Nannan, dear, can he teach his students back on Jiang Ye Star? We'll hurry up and build the Jiang Senlin Art Academy, can we have him come back? He's been teaching students there, when will it end!"
"To be frank, there are other reasons why he can't come back."
"What?"
"Some high-ranking leaders have taken a liking to him and want to arrange a child betrothal for him."
Jiang Ye couldn't help but snatch the phone back. "What kind of business is this? Arranging a child betrothal should involve discussing it with the parents! What is this about tying up a child like that?"
"It's like this, the high-ranking leaders are all very busy and haven't had a chance to meet Jiang Senlin in person. Their intention is to have some free time in the next two weeks to visit the art studio and see the child for themselves," Li Nannan said. "If they take a liking to him, you might have the opportunity to meet with the high-ranking leaders."
"How high-ranking are they?" Jiang Ye became somewhat annoyed. "My son isn't their son; leaders should also be reasonable!"
"Very, very high. Let's just say, the entire Birong Star could be allocated to you with just a word from them. Not only Birong Star, but with a few signatures, trillions in subsidies, billions of people, and all sorts of high-tech industries could appear on Jiang Ye Star overnight," Li Nannan lowered her voice. "The higher echelons of the Galactic Empire are no different from deities; you truly cannot afford to offend them! Their willingness to personally visit Jiang Senlin at the art studio is already a great honor. To put it bluntly, even the planet governors and marshals of small planets have to queue for a hundred years to get a glimpse of them! I only saw them from afar a few years ago at a large conference, standing in the very back row of the venue. The distance was too great, I couldn't even see their faces clearly."
After a few more words, the call ended.
Jiang Ye and Cen Yemeng looked at each other.
Cen Yemeng's expression was that of a grieving mother whose son had been conscripted, almost on the verge of tears.
"Don't be sad, don't be sad. Perhaps it will lead to a good marriage?" Jiang Ye reached out and held her, comforting her softly.
"I have a feeling that it would have been better if our son hadn't become famous, and just stayed home playing with his little trains," Cen Yemeng said, tears streaming down her face.