It was an oil painting.

Gu Yan knew it was Monet’s Rouen Cathedral and that the cathedral was Gothic, for she was obsessed with buildings of all around the world during the school days.

“Now, every contestant, please express your opinions.”

Seeing that all the people were surprised and began to whisper, the presenter said with a microphone, suggesting the contestants to express their views.

Gu Yan knew this painting, but she contemplated the intention of displaying this work. She didn’t say anything, intending to listen to others first.

“This is a famous building in France, and it’s a representative sample of Gothic style. Can you tell us on what we’re examined?” Someone anxiously and angrily asked the presenter, who had charge of the party on the platform.

With a smile, the president, an elegant lady, didn’t answer the question. She just shook her head.

Everyone was confused. And Gu Yan thought the person asking the question was impetuous.

Gu Yan looked around and saw the people were discussing in whispers. The venue became noisy. Some people expressed their views, but none of them satisfied the presenter.

“What’s your opinion?” Mo Yichen asked Gu Yan as she only watched others voicing.

Gu Yan wobbled the champagne glass in her hand and watched others answer one after another. Sometimes, no one talked, and then the voices reappeared. And there were also some people having no idea or searching for something to say. It seemed that it was not easy to win the presenter’s approval.

Then, a silence lasted for minutes. All the people had done their utmost to answer, but none met the approval of the lady. They didn’t know what to say, and some people became anxious.

Gu Yan looked at Mo Yichen. And he knew she had her own idea, so he nodded at her firmly. Gu Yan became confident and began to voice after getting her ideas into shape.

“I think we’re not expected to comment on the artistic appreciation of the painting.” Everyone heard the ringing voice and looked for its source. And they found it was the peerless beauty in red.

Gu Yan said slowly, which drew the attention of everyone. The lady on the platform smiled at her, motioning her to continue.

“Those who learned architectural history know that Rouen Cathedral was not built in a day but through centuries, a very long time in French history. So, I believe, like Rouen Cathedral, every construction is a miniature of its time and possesses the features of its time.”

“In the 21st century, we can still see the beauty of that time and understand the charm of Gothic style. Isn’t this the essence of architecture? Construction is eternal, and so is beauty.”

Gu Yan expressed her idea with just a few words, and she believed that her words had sunk in.

“I think it’s showing off my incompetence to comment on its artistic achievements. But, to my mind, Monet had outstanding powers of observation and creativity that he could show various beauty of Rouen Cathedral. This is the craftsmanship spirit, which is an indispensable part of design.”

Seeing everyone was considering, Gu Yan added something to her earlier statement. She always took every view on works seriously.

The arts of centuries collected the significance of every era, and every art possessed different styles in different times. Monet showed the eternal beauty of life in his painting. Construction was eternal, and so was design. There were eternal ideas in the minds of millions upon millions of designers.

These were what Gu Yan wanted to convey. She didn’t know whether others understood, but she knew the lady on the platform did as the lady had an eye contact with her. And the presenter realized Gu Yan was the one she wanted.

A hush was followed by an enduring round of applause. It was true that the charm of the arts lay in inheritance. Every designer once had his or her dream and feelings, but why did they gradually surrender to the reality?

Everyone had craftsmanship spirit in his or her youth. Everyone was enthusiastic about his or her works. And everyone wanted their works to endure as masterpieces. However, it was hard for them to find their original aspiration and sincerity as they were treated harshly by their first party and superiors.

Gu Yan’s voice was quiet, but her words were enlightening.

Gu Yan smiled, and Mo Yichen was proud of her confidence. The mild woman showed her ability to the full extent, which spurred Mo Yichen to know more about her.

The lady on the platform turned her head to whisper to the judges beside her, and they nodded every now and then. Gu Yan didn’t know what they were talking about. She just answered following her heart, but she didn’t know how it differed from the standard answer. So, she was a little bit anxious.

Finally, they stopped whispering, and all of them smiled as if a consensus had been reached. The presenter, with a faint smile, looked at Gu Yan, which made Gu Yan surprised.

Then the presenter elegantly hitched up her dress and walked towards the microphone, saying, “Is there anyone having other ideas?” But a hush lasted for about half a minute. And she continued, “So, the champion of the preliminary test is this lady. And I believe there is no objection, right?”

And some other people who had a good performance were mentioned as well. Although they didn’t say who they were, the presenter said their names exactly. This was also a competence.

No one speaking. People just gave a storm of applause.

“Have a good time!” Then the presenter, followed by the judges, walked straight towards Gu Yan, the star in the crowds.