Chapter 1620: 1622: Busily Panting Like a Dog

Chapter 1620: Chapter 1622: Busily Panting Like a Dog

“Teacher Liu, they have an age restriction—35 years old and under. You need to get an application form, submit three artworks with it, and those three works must receive high scores from all ten judges in charge of evaluation. Even if one judge gives a low score, you’re disqualified. Once you pass this stage, you’re qualified to participate. Oh, by the way, to apply, you also need to pay a 1,000 yuan entry fee.”

The others, including Jin Lei, gasped in shock, “That’s not easy at all!”

First, where do you even get the application form? And then, high scores from all ten judges? That’s no small task—art is subjective, after all.

Plus, you still have to pay 1,000 yuan just to enter the competition?

“1,000 yuan? Are they robbing us? What happens if the artwork doesn’t make the cut, and we can’t participate? Is the 1,000 yuan refunded?”

He Jin shook his head, “No refunds.”

Some of the students immediately lost interest.

Whether you make it or not, you’d lose 1,000 yuan just like that. What kind of competition is this?

For them, 1,000 yuan was no small amount.

What if they paid the fee, but their submission lost a point from a single judge? Then everything would be gone.

He Jin looked at Chiang Xiao. “I have a cousin-in-law in Country Y whose boss can fix us up with an application form. My cousin-in-law knows I’ve been active in the calligraphy and painting scene and wrote to ask if I wanted to try.”

“And you’re not entering?” Chiang Xiao was momentarily stunned.

Considering how much effort it took just to get the application form…

He Jin let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Do you think I have what it takes? My eye for critique might be good, but when it comes to creating, no matter how hard I try, my paintings aren’t anything special. But you, Xiao Chiang—your artwork has spiritual energy. You should give it a shot. At the very least, treat it as a valuable experience.”

He leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “Don’t underestimate those ten judges. They’re all big names in Country Y’s cultural circle. Even if your work doesn’t win over all ten of them, capturing just one judge’s interest could go a long way. If you ever want to exhibit your paintings internationally in the future, that one connection could prove immensely helpful. Xiao Chiang, becoming famous nationally is nothing—achieving international fame is what should be your true goal.”

“Mm, well said,” added Liu Guoying.

Chiang Xiao rubbed her forehead.

“Let’s discuss it when I get back. I’ll think about it.”

“Alright, but when you get to the Capital City, you owe me and Xiao Yue some roast duck,” Jin Lei declared.

Wu Xiayue’s eyes lit up instantly. “Yes, yes! I want two ducks!”

Chiang Xiao shot her a look. “Are you a pig?”

“Mind your own business. My man is so supportive of you, you’d better make up for it by feeding me more!” Wu Xiayue huffed.

Fine, fine, she surrendered.

Thus, when she returned, the first thing that happened was being taken out for a meal by He Jin and Wu Xiayue, draining her wallet yet again.

As she paid, Chiang Xiao held her wallet and couldn’t help thinking that recently, she’d been spending money left and right without earning much. None of her paintings had sold, her café Youqingwei had finished its renovations but wasn’t ready to open, and she was only making money from the tea snacks her grandparents were selling.

It felt like she’d turned into a leech.

This wouldn’t do—she couldn’t settle into complacency. She needed to get the business up and running, earn a steady income, and make something of herself.

Not to mention, her grandmother probably wouldn’t be able to keep working tirelessly in the future. Once Youqingwei opened, the demand for the tea snacks would surely skyrocket, and relying on just her grandparents wouldn’t be sustainable.

Chiang Xiao decided she would come up with a plan to free her grandparents from the workload—perhaps just have them supervise instead of handling all the labor themselves.

During the meal with He Jin, she agreed to enter the competition. Now, she needed to focus on creating three high-quality paintings to submit.

He Jin mentioned that she’d also need to prepare a personal statement in full English.