Chapter 8: Going to See Director Ford Editor: Henyee Translations

"Tristan," Sophie called out to him.

Tristan Lawson turned around.

Another firework soared into the air, illuminating the scene. Tristan Lawson looked toward the same spot again, but Noelle Sutton was gone.

In that fleeting moment of darkness, Noelle had already slipped into the crowd.

Tristan’s eyelids twitched. He scanned his surroundings, his brow furrowing despite himself. Seeing him looking around, Sophie also glanced about and asked quizzically, "Tristan, did you see someone you know?"

"No."

Just then, a vendor selling roses walked over, enthusiastically hawking the Floyd roses in his hands.

"Sir, the flowers are very fresh today. A Floyd Rose represents something precious and rare. Buy one for your wife. It signifies that she is one-of-a-kind and represents your reserved but sincere affection."

Sophie was about to refuse.

Tristan Lawson took a few bills from his wallet and bought a single Floyd Rose.

The fireworks exploding in the sky were too dazzling for Noelle Sutton; they made her eyes sting. The fireworks display wasn’t as beautiful or romantic as she had imagined...

And even if there was any romance, it belonged to someone else.

She turned and walked away.

Tristan Lawson handed the Floyd rose to Sophie Hughes.

Sophie blushed slightly, a smile playing on her lips. "Tristan, this isn’t really appropriate, is it?"

"It’s fine. It’s not easy for small vendors to make a living. I’m just helping him out."

The smile on Sophie’s face froze for a moment before she quickly smiled again, happily accepting the Floyd rose from Tristan.

The fireworks show ended.

Joshua Lawson felt it wasn’t enough and wanted to play with more fireworks. There was a designated safety area by the lake where a few vendors were indeed selling fireworks.

Tristan Lawson bought a good number of them and stayed by the lake to play with Joshua Lawson and Sophie Hughes.

Noelle Sutton walked out of the old town, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She had come to Crestfall to clear her head, and while she was at it, to secretly go to the animation convention and see Tutor Ford.

How unlucky. It seems she can run into their little family of three anytime, anywhere... She’ll just catch a glimpse of Tutor Ford from afar tomorrow, and then she should head back as soon as possible.

Once she got back to her hotel, Noelle Sutton packed her things, checked out, and prepared to move to a different hotel.

The next day, Noelle Sutton went to Crestfall Stadium early in the morning. When she left, she made a point of disguising herself. She wore a sun hat, sunglasses, and a face mask, completely covering her face.

She truly felt she couldn’t face Tutor Ford.

She arrived early, so the exhibition hall wasn’t too crowded yet. After a while, she heard an excited voice. "Director Ford is here!"

Noelle quickly hid behind a pillar.

She saw Tutor Ford approaching with several people. Two of them were carrying a framed piece of art, which was covered with a red cloth.

Tutor Ford pointed to the most prominent spot in the exhibition hall and said, "Hang this one right here."

"Director Ford, is this your latest masterpiece?"

Someone behind her asked.

All the other exhibits in the hall had been set up in advance, but the center position had been left empty.

Tutor Ford smiled. "You’ll find out in a little while."

"She’s being so mysterious. It must be her latest work."

"Director Ford is placing so much importance on it. It’s bound to be absolutely stunning."

"I’m so excited."

Many of the people at the exhibition were fans of Director Ford.

Noelle peeked out slightly, casting a glance at Tutor Ford from a distance.

Seven years had passed, and there were now traces of gray in her temples.

Tears welled up in Noelle’s eyes.

She had originally planned to just see Tutor Ford from afar and then leave, but since she was placing so much importance on that piece, she found herself looking forward to seeing it, too.

Gradually, the exhibition hall grew more and more crowded.

Noelle stopped deliberately hiding. With so many people around, it was less likely she’d be noticed.

There were also many students in cosplay at the event.

In short, the place was packed.

Partway through, Noelle managed to squeeze her way out to go to the restroom. When she came out, she was stunned to see Tristan Lawson standing with Director Ford.

"Mr. Lawson, while you may be the investor for this national tour, I have only ever had two criteria for accepting students: talent and inspiration. I have seen Miss Hughes’s work, and it doesn’t quite meet my standards for a final disciple. I’m very sorry."

So Tristan was the one who invited Director Ford here. And it was all for Sophie Hughes...

"Talent and inspiration are very abstract concepts, Director Ford. Could you be more specific?"

Tristan Lawson was still trying to plead Sophie’s case.

She then heard Director Ford say, "There is a piece in the exhibition that has never been shown to the public. I will be introducing it specifically later. You can go take a look, and then you’ll understand what talent and inspiration are."

Noelle grew even more eager to see the artwork. For Director Ford to say that, it must be an incredible piece.

She wanted to feast her eyes on it.

She returned to the exhibition hall.

About ten minutes later, Director Ford appeared in the hall with the staff.

Veridia’s animation industry still had a lot of room to grow, which meant it held countless possibilities.

As a pillar of the industry, Director Ford had always been at the forefront, promoting and guiding the development of animation.

Her dream was to elevate the country’s animation production techniques to the world stage.

Noelle knew this.

Back then, Director Ford had placed all her hopes on her.

During this exhibition, Director Ford earnestly introduced the designs of the animation artists. When it came to her own works, she was still unflinchingly direct, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses.

Noelle couldn’t help but think of her grandmother.

Her grandmother had been the one to teach her paper-cutting. Years ago, her grandmother, desperate to cure her aphonia, had taken her to countless hospitals, but none could help.

Later, they heard about a quack doctor who claimed he could cure her aphonia, but his fee was exorbitant—one hundred thousand dollars.

Her grandmother was a paper-cutting artist, but this craft was becoming less and less popular. One hundred thousand was an astronomical sum for her.

But her grandmother relied on her old craft, taking on work wherever she could. She worked day and night until she made herself sick from exhaustion, but she finally saved up the one hundred thousand and took Noelle for treatment.

But after the quack doctor took the money, he saw her once, guaranteeing a cure. When they returned the next day, he had vanished without a trace.

Her grandmother’s hard-earned money had been stolen, and there was no longer any way to pay for Noelle’s treatment. Unable to bear the blow and blaming herself endlessly, she fell ill and became bedridden. Not long after, she passed away.

On her deathbed, she made her promise to carry on the art of paper-cutting.

Later, Noelle discovered that she could combine modern animation with paper-cutting. Not only would it create a unique style in animation, but it would also introduce the craft of paper-cutting to a wider audience.

The love she had longed for had ultimately caused her to betray the expectations of the two most important people in her life.

Noelle’s vision blurred.

Ford walked over to the piece covered by the red cloth and paused before it for a long moment. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

It looked like Director Ford was about to unveil the piece.

Noelle blinked, forcing back the tears that were about to spill over.