Chapter 9: An Empty Heart Editor: Henyee Translations

Her gaze was fixed on where Director Ford stood.

Just then, Tristan Lawson led Sophie Hughes and Joshua Lawson to the front. He wanted to see for himself what this "talent and spirit" Director Ford spoke of truly was.

Sophie has been studying animation for years. She spent all those years in Aridia and even worked on major productions with the renowned Director Smith. How could she possibly lack talent and spirit?

Director Ford took one last deep look at the framed artwork, then turned to face the crowd. She began to speak slowly. "I wasn’t originally going to include this piece in the exhibition, but I truly can’t find a single flaw in it. Today marks the first stop of my inaugural national tour, and it’s also a landmark event for the country’s major animation conventions. After much deliberation, I decided to unveil it for everyone to appreciate and learn from."

With that, Director Ford stepped to the side and pulled the red cloth off the large frame.

In an instant, it was as if the entire exhibition hall had been muted. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

It was A Renaissance Cityscape Painting.

The dim tones were gone, replaced by a vibrant and brilliant color palette. The figures and scenery retained their original forms but were rendered in an anime style.

Every line was like a three-dimensional relief carving.

Though it was a still image, it seemed to come alive, as if every figure within it was in motion.

It was like watching an animation.

The silence held for thirty seconds.

Tristan Lawson finally understood what Director Ford meant by "talent and spirit."

The truly still appears to move, and the truly moving appears still.

Still, Tristan Lawson felt a faint sense of familiarity with the artwork.

That’s it. Paper cutting. It had to be relief-style paper-cutting techniques that made the image look so alive.

Suddenly, a thunderous round of applause shattered the silence. As the applause began to die down, Director Ford raised her hands to quiet the crowd.

She then began to explain the merits of the piece.

Her analysis mirrored Tristan Lawson’s own: it seemed to move yet was still, seemed still yet was not.

She pointed out the fusion of old and modern, as well as the ingenious application of relief paper-cutting techniques in animation design.

Director Ford also informed everyone that the work was not her own design, but rather a fortieth birthday gift from one of her students.

Someone in the crowd pressed, "Director Ford, which student was it? Can we see more of her work?"

Director Ford replied with a smile, "I’m afraid not. Because... she chose to marry for love. Students with her level of talent are rare. But for those of you who love animation, keep studying hard. Who knows? The next gifted artist could be one of you."

As she finished, her smile was tinged with deep regret.

Noelle Sutton felt a lump in her throat like a ball of cotton. Her eyes rimmed with red, she slipped out of the crowd.

Joshua Lawson noticed Sophie Hughes staring at the piece on the wall. He tugged on Tristan Lawson’s sleeve and looked up at him. "Dad, I want this piece. Can you buy it?"

"I’ll have to ask Director Ford."

Joshua glanced at Sophie Hughes again; her eyes were still glued to the artwork.

Joshua said firmly to Tristan Lawson, "Dad, you have to buy it for me. I really love it."

Director Ford moved on to introduce other pieces, hoping to inspire more people to fall in love with animation and take an interest in the industry.

After finishing her presentation, Director Ford went to the lounge.

Tristan Lawson asked Sophie Hughes to watch Joshua, saying he had something to take care of.

Sophie told him not to worry and to go on ahead.

Tristan Lawson went to Director Ford’s lounge.

Seeing him approach, Director Ford said with a smile, "As you can see, I don’t just take on any student. I’m looking for someone who can carry on my ideals and goals."

Tristan Lawson had received an elite education from a young age, and his bearing and composure set him apart from the crowd. He was naturally respectful toward a venerable teacher like Director Ford.

"Director Ford, I understand your position. Since Sophie Hughes doesn’t meet your requirements for a protégée, I certainly won’t pressure you. However, with your passion for animation and your desire to contribute to the industry, surely you wouldn’t mind offering a bit of guidance to a junior who shares that interest, would you?"

...

Noelle Sutton walked out of the exhibition hall. Standing before a promotional poster for the tour, she studied the event details, curious about the future tour dates.

As she read the details on her phone, she overheard some people who were also leaving.

"I wonder who that person who ’chose to marry for love’ is. I heard Director Ford mention her again while introducing the other pieces. She sounded so full of regret."

"I know, right? If I had that kind of talent and Director Ford’s approval, I’d forget about love and focus on my career. A man is nowhere near as reliable as a career and money."

"Exactly. It’d be one thing if she found happiness in her marriage, but to give up such a promising future otherwise? It’s just not worth it."

The color drained from Noelle Sutton’s lips.

Tristan Lawson and Director Ford emerged from the lounge together. Director Ford had someone take A Renaissance Cityscape Painting down from the wall.

"Mr. Lawson, I’ll have someone deliver this piece to your home."

Tristan Lawson immediately took a check for thirty million from his wallet and offered it to Director Ford.

Director Ford frowned. "The only reason I’m reluctantly parting with it is that I saw your son’s animated paper-cut illustrations. His style is quite similar to my students’. Otherwise, I wouldn’t sell it for any price."

"My apologies." Tristan Lawson put the check away. "Thank you for your generosity, Director Ford," he added. "I won’t take up any more of your time. If you need anything in the future, please don’t hesitate to contact me."

Just as Tristan Lawson was about to leave, Director Ford stopped him.

"Is there something else, Director Ford?"

Director Ford hesitated for a moment before saying, "No, it’s nothing. Goodbye."

In truth, she had seen potential in Joshua Lawson. But for a family like the Lawsons, the son’s destiny was to be the heir to the Lawson corporation.

Tristan Lawson walked over to Sophie Hughes and Joshua, picked up his son, and continued to browse the exhibition.

A look of regret once again crossed Director Ford’s face.

Noelle Sutton returned to her hotel, packed her bags, and headed back to Glenwater.

Silverwood was a small county without an airport, and she had flown into Glenwater.

Just as she got off the plane, Mrs. Miller called again.

Mrs. Miller had been trying to reach her for the past few days. Previously, Noelle had assumed she was calling about Joshua, so she hadn’t answered.

Now that the father and son are in Crestfall, Mrs. Miller must have something else to talk to her about.

Noelle couldn’t speak, so she wouldn’t have been able to communicate clearly over the phone anyway. Instead, she hailed a taxi and went straight to Westhill Villa.

The moment Mrs. Miller saw Noelle, she rushed forward and grabbed her hands.

"Madam, you’re finally back! The master and the young master went to Crestfall to find that Sophie Hughes woman. I haven’t been able to reach you for days! You have to do something about them. If you don’t..."

Mrs. Miller didn’t dare finish the sentence.

Noelle just gave a faint smile, took out her phone, and typed a message: Is this what you were calling me about these past few days?

Mrs. Miller nodded, then quickly remembered something important and pulled Noelle into the master bedroom.

"Madam, after the master and young master left, I came in to clean and discovered that your wedding portrait with the master is missing."

Noelle stared at the empty space on the wall where the portrait used to hang.

Her heart felt just as empty.