Rebirth in a Shura Field, but in an Abstract Version

061 Master Wang's Craftsmanship

On Saturday noon, ten girls from the oil painting class walked out of the gates of Shanghai University of Hong Kong together.

They walked together, varying in height and build. Although they were art students, their clothing and appearance seemed no different from those of ordinary college students. They attracted a lot of attention on the street, purely because of their good looks.

It's hard to say exactly how pretty she is, but she definitely has a youthful and charming vibe.

Among these ten girls, Su Xiaocheng felt somewhat out of place.

As a college student, she had a very deceptive face.

She has a small, delicate face, round almond-shaped eyes, a pert little nose, and a single ponytail that sways as she walks. If you didn't see her ID card, most people would think she was a middle school student, or even a junior high student.

"Oh, can I not go?"

At the back of the line, Su Xiaocheng was practically dragged along by her roommate Chen Nuo, who was holding her arm. She struggled and complained, "I have absolutely no interest in these kinds of social events. A bunch of guys and girls who just met sitting together awkwardly chatting, having to pretend they know each other so well—it's embarrassing just thinking about it."

"No way!" Chen Nuo held onto her tightly, refusing to let go. "I think you're the prettiest girl in our class. We're all going, how can you not go?"

Su Xiaocheng pouted and looked down at her loose T-shirt and denim shorts: "Guys wouldn't like my type."

"Why are you so insecure?" Chen Nuo asked, somewhat surprised.

Su Xiaocheng analyzed seriously, "This isn't a matter of confidence; it's an objective law. Eighteen or nineteen-year-old boys are in the peak of their hormones, and they like older women with curves or elegant goddesses. Someone like me will only be seen as a little sister."

"That's not necessarily true," Chen Nuo smiled mysteriously. "To each their own. What if there's someone in the architecture department who... cough cough, someone who likes younger girls? Besides, regardless of whether they're male or not, getting a free barbecue is still a bonus!"

As they were talking, the ten girls arrived in a large group at the self-service barbecue restaurant at the back gate of the school.

As soon as you enter, a rich aroma of cumin and meat hits you.

"Over here! Over here!"

In a corner not far away, someone stood up and waved.

Su Xiaocheng looked up.

Two rectangular tables were placed side by side to form a large, long table.

Eight boys were already sitting neatly on one side of the long table.

Some of them wore shirts, some were dressed like pink parrots, and others were as muscular as bears.

"These are the male architecture students?" Su Xiaocheng pursed her lips. "Their average looks... are just so-so."

On the other side of the long table, a row of seats was neatly empty, clearly reserved for the ten girls.

But at this moment, Su Xiaocheng keenly noticed something unusual.

Surprisingly, a girl was sitting on the side of the long table.

The girl, wearing a pale yellow floral dress, was holding a cup of barley tea, smiling brightly at the group of boys. Sitting there, she was like a radiant pearl among these rough-looking men, dazzling and impossible to ignore.

"Who is that?" Su Xiaocheng asked Chen Nuo in a low voice.

"I don't know... Yang Fan didn't say there were other girls." Chen Nuo also looked confused.

The girls took their seats one after another. Su Xiaocheng pulled her roommate Chen Nuo and sat down on the side closest to that girl.

As soon as she sat down, Su Xiaocheng couldn't contain her curiosity.

She looked at the gentle-looking girl, blinked her big eyes, and asked, "Hi, are you also in the architecture department?"

Song Zhiyi put down her teacup and turned to look at the petite girl beside her.

So cute—that was Song Zhiyi's first reaction.

"Yes, hello, my name is Song Zhiyi, I am from the Architecture Department, Class 1, the same class as these boys."

"Then how come you..." Su Xiaocheng pointed to the boys' camp opposite her, but did not finish her question.

But Song Zhiyi clearly understood what she meant.

Song Zhiyi rested her chin on her hand and said in a relaxed tone, "I just heard they were going out for a meal, and I was curious, so I came to check it out. I also wanted to mooch a meal."

"Curious?" Su Xiaocheng couldn't understand. "What's so interesting about a group of boys? All they do is brag and urge each other to drink."

"Not entirely," Song Zhiyi said meaningfully, glancing at him. "Sometimes, don't you find it interesting to observe men's courtship behavior?"

Su Xiaocheng: "..."

At this moment, Wang Zhe, who was sitting directly opposite Su Xiaocheng, also looked up and glanced at her.

Sure enough, ten girls were sitting across the table.

It has to be said, Yang Fan is really something. Among these ten girls, there are indeed a few who are quite pretty. To be able to organize such a social event right after entering school, he felt that Yang Fan was more suitable to be a class leader than himself.

Suddenly, his gaze lingered on Su Xiaocheng's face for a second.

Legal loli?

Wang Zhe was slightly surprised. This type of girl is actually quite rare in real life. The one in front of him, however, was completely natural.

But he was only surprised for a second before he looked away.

She was cute, but this legally-owned little girl had a sour face and seemed unapproachable. And he had no interest in provoking anyone.

"Alright, alright! Everyone's here!"

Yang Fan, as the initiator, stood up to take charge, "Hello everyone, I'm Yang Fan, the temporary class monitor of Class 1, Architecture Department! Today is just a simple get-together, so please don't be shy! Help yourselves to whatever you want to eat! Drinks are unlimited! Meat is unlimited!"

The dinner party officially began.

Although Yang Fan was quite wealthy, this meal still cost him a considerable amount. To save money, he negotiated with the restaurant owner to have the waiters grill the food for him in exchange for a discount.

This makes it easier for boys to show their affection.

These days, there isn't a trend of gender antagonism. At social gatherings, many guys are willing to grill meat for the girls, especially when they're around pretty girls.

"Beautiful lady, would you like some pork belly or beef? I'll grill it for you!" Wei Jing, sporting a helmet-like hairstyle, said to a long-haired girl across from him with exceptional attentiveness.

"Hey, I'm good at grilling meat, let me do it!" Fang Gang said, not to be outdone, picking up a piece of bacon and putting it on the grill.

In an instant, the baking pan sizzled and smoke rose everywhere.

The boys frantically flipped the meat slices, afraid of burning them and embarrassing themselves. Once they were done, they immediately placed them into the bowls of the girls opposite them, as if presenting a treasure.

Most of the girls thanked her with a reserved smile.

Wang Zhe watched this scene and almost laughed.

This is what courtship in adolescence is like—clumsy yet passionate.

Although he wasn't interested in this inefficient approach to pursuing his goals, he was interested in good food. Besides, since he was already there, he couldn't just sit there doing nothing.

Wang Zhe picked up the tongs and brushed a layer of oil onto the baking tray in front of him.

Then, slowly and deliberately, place a plate of pork belly on the baking tray.

Unlike the others who frantically flipped the meat, he waited patiently. Only when the edges of the slices curled slightly, the bottom turned golden brown, and emitted the characteristic caramelized aroma of the Maillard reaction did he calmly flip them over.

Soon, a plate of golden-brown, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside pork belly was ready.

Wang Zhe did not pass the meat to the legal loli across the table, or to Song Zhiyi next to him.

He simply took a clean, empty plate, neatly arranged the roasted meat on it, and then pushed it to the center of the table.

"It's cooked. Help yourself if you want some."

His tone was flat, without any attempt to please.

Sitting next to him, Song Zhiyi watched him operate the machine with great interest throughout.

Seeing that the meat was cooked, she unceremoniously reached out with her chopsticks, picked up the best piece, dipped it in the dry dipping sauce, and put it in her mouth.

"Hmm..." Song Zhiyi narrowed her eyes and let out a satisfied sigh, "Not bad, Master Wang's skills are still so solid."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.