The Versatile Master Artist

”Upgrade Menzel’s Painting Basics from Perfect Level to Legendary Level? [Note: For the current option, the skill duration is (2.3) seconds. Exceeding this time will deduct 3700 Free Experience Points per second.]”

Alright, it’s not like it can’t be used.

2.3 seconds,

With fast hands, drawing an egg with a pencil should be enough.

As for the overtime penalty... each second costs nearly forty thousand US dollars, that’s terrifying!

Gu Weijing resisted the urge to see what a ”Legendary Level egg” would look like, and finally scrolled down the list.

At the bottom of this skill tree, the entry for [Painting Knife Painting·Legendary Level] is grayed out and unselectable.

He clicked on Painting Knife Painting, and the system immediately showed a related prompt.

”This skill cannot be applied to enhancing [Level 9 Tier Three Grandmaster] or Perfect Level and above system skills.”

After figuring out the specific usage of this skill,

Gu Weijing closed the panel.

”Practicing with it regularly would be such a waste. In certain crucial moments, this skill can be quite effective.”

Gu Weijing smacked his lips.

”The only pity is that this skill is one-time use, and it’s uncertain if similar skill cards will be obtained in the future.”

...

The next morning,

In the living room of Gu’s Painting and Calligraphy Gallery, a middle-aged woman wearing an apron was checking the accounts at the register while chattering non-stop during the holiday.

”Ah Lin, be careful on your way to the dinner with classmates, and be mindful. Even if it’s AA payment, don’t get scammed! Some kids just like to take advantage of others, so look at the bill carefully before paying...”

Myanmar is a traditional agricultural country.

March 2nd is the time for Yangon’s special local festival ”Farmers’ Day.”

Farmers’ Day, like May Day Labor Day, is a legal holiday stipulated by the government.

This Thursday and Friday, people don’t have to go to school or work, and even ordinary small shops aren’t very open. It’s a good time for visiting relatives and having gatherings with classmates.

”Alright, you’ve said these things so many times, nagging.” Gu Lin was applying her newly bought lipstick in front of the dressing mirror without lifting her head.

Gu Weijing, holding a towel, came out of the bathroom from washing up, just in time to see his cousin Gu Lin ready to go out and have a holiday meal with her girlfriends from school.

He got back late from the orphanage yesterday, and spent a lot of time researching the new skill use.

So, he actually got up a bit late today and didn’t even go out to buy breakfast.

But his aunt had more urgent matters and just gave him a look, not having time to scold her nephew, and continued to remind her daughter Gu Lin about safety matters on the road.

”Where are you and your classmates going for dinner?”

Uncle, who was watching the morning news in front of the living room TV with a bowl of Shan tribe noodle soup, asked curiously.

”Qingchuan Japanese Cuisine.”

Gu Lin raised her eyebrows proudly: ”The recommendation says this is one of the top ten must-visit places for a refined and luxurious life for young women in Yangon.”

The latter part is a promotional slogan on Google Maps for this business.

She had been longing for this Japanese cuisine for a long time.

”Japanese cuisine is not cheap.”

Uncle’s concern was clearly not on the refined and luxurious life of young women.

He frowned slightly: ”The last time you went to a classmate’s party, it cost 150,000 Myanmar Kyat, and now you’re going for Japanese cuisine... At your young age, there’s no need to pursue such high expenses. Consider our family’s situation and your classmates’!”

”Not knowing how hard it is to earn money at all.”

”Got it, got it. So annoying, I didn’t even ask you for money, it’s the New Year money Grandma gave me.” Gu Lin turned her head away, ignoring her father, and left the gallery with a fiery stride, carrying her bag.

”You should lighten up, what kind of attitude is that towards the child!”

Aunt was a bit displeased with Uncle’s tone towards their daughter.

The TikTok account she followed clearly stated that parents and children should communicate like intimate friends.

”Let Gu Lin hang out with classmates more, it’s good for interpersonal relationships. We are siblings, some people use art sets worth tens of thousands of US dollars with ease, is it a problem for your daughter to have a meal with classmates?”

Gu Weijing saw that Aunt started to remember his expensive Lukes Master Art Set again, so he promptly left the living room and moved to the yard.

Entering the small courtyard behind the gallery,

he was greeted by a wafting aroma of sweet vinegar, small millet chili, sesame, and garlic oil sauce mix that tickled his nose.

”Awake? Just in time to try some of the noodle soup that Grandpa Wu made this morning.”

Grandpa Gu Tongxiang was sitting in the yard, playing chess with an elderly man in a black crew neck shirt, moving a small stool.

Seeing Gu Weijing, he just casually greeted before focusing back on the chessboard in front of him.

”Cannon five to one.” The old man moved a piece.

”Hey! Then I will jump the horse advancing three to two.”

The man playing against Grandpa in the crew neck shirt slowly moved a piece.

He slid his cigarette from behind his ear, took a satisfying puff, and casually nodded at Gu Weijing as if greeting him.

”Weijing, have some noodles first, I’ll give you New Year money after I finish beating your grandpa.” He said through his yellowed teeth, offhandedly.

”Uncle Wu, you carry on.”

Gu Weijing nodded obediently, ”I’ll pour you some tea.”

He recognized this old man.

His surname was Wu, he owned a store selling antique strings, and could write characters in a graceful and strong, archaic script.