All eyes in the training room were on Maya, savoring the spectacle with schadenfreude.
Maya scrutinized the woman in front of her, with cloud-like hair pinned up with a wooden hairpin, wearing a crescent-colored tailored qipao accentuating her curvy figure, yet her overly stern expression appeared a tad mean, taking away half the elegance.
Maya lazily nodded her head.
She remembered this person, Quentin was a renowned dancer in the country, having won numerous international awards, and quite accomplished in the tea ceremony.
More importantly, Quentin was Ian and Eric's aunt. In the storyline, she was drawn to Kiki's intelligence and diligence, and the two became good friends, helping Kiki establish a footing in high society.
Noticing Quentin's increasingly displeased gaze, Maya added silently in her heart:
Of course, Quentin never thought too highly of her.
Quentin sized up the loose-fitting casual clothes on Maya and the pair of sneakers on her feet…
"Maya, what class are you supposed to take today?"
"Etiquette class."
"So you know." Quentin sneered: "Valerius invited me over here, which is recognition of my skills. Similarly, I hope you can show some respect, at least change into a dress, will you?"
Quentin had never been pleased that her favorite nephew married such a headstrong and unruly woman. In her view, Maya's initial lie to marry into The Rowe Family was already intolerable, not to mention that this person was lazy, stupid, and ignorant... how could she match their family?
Maya chuckled, retorting bluntly: "If you don't mind me saying, Ms. Rowe, etiquette elevates one's temperament, it has nothing to do with clothing. Is wearing a dress the only form of etiquette? So, while horse riding or mountain climbing, does that mean etiquette doesn't exist?"
The leading lady needs to put great effort into making connections with big names, she as a minor supporting character naturally doesn't need to. Whether others like her or not, it's better if they don't.
Sharp tongued!
Quentin shuddered with rage, not expecting Maya to turn her words around and mock her. No matter what, she was still Maya's elder, and Maya gave her no face.
"Is this how you treat your etiquette teacher in class!?"
Quentin questioned coldly.
The other artists could see that Quentin just didn't like Maya, after all, they were famous artists, no teacher truly treated them like students with strict discipline.
"I'm in a classroom, not a monologue theater, wouldn't you say?"
In other words, she had the right to express her own opinions.
Quentin coldly scrutinized Maya for several seconds before finally laughing: "You've been late so long, let's not waste more time, come on over quickly."
Her smile was elegant yet carried a chilling edge.
Maya knew this wouldn't end so easily but was too lazy to care.
"Everyone, you must first understand the importance of etiquette. Each move on screen represents the actor's level of cultivation; etiquette reflects the most direct first impression, and often this first impression becomes an important point for the audience's liking or disliking of an actor…"
Quentin walked slowly, her voice bearing a leisurely grace, but when she saw Maya sitting sloppily in her seat, she couldn't help but gasp.
Utterly unseemly!
"Ms. Rowe, I have some personal insights…"
A crisp and pleasant voice emerged, it was Kiki.
She evidently did her homework in advance, speaking fluently without faults, and added her own unique understanding.
"What do you think, Ms. Rowe?"
And finally asked appropriately, humble and sensible.
After listening to Kiki's insights, Quentin's eyes instinctively brightened. She scrutinized Kiki, seeing her gentle and obedient demeanor, she liked her even more.
Quentin smiled slightly, clapping: "It seems you understand a lot about etiquette in this regard, well done."
Because of Maya, Quentin had almost no favorable impression of The Monroe Family, did not expect this Kiki to be quite impressive.
She remembered Kiki, although just entering the circle, had already received plenty of enviable resources, a testament to her luck and strength.
The small training room echoed with applause one after another. These artists, usually highly critical, were now captivated by the protagonist's aura.
Kiki's fair face unwittingly overflowed with a smile. She felt all the eyes of admiration and affection directed at her, her heart almost overflowing with satisfaction. She always enjoyed this feeling, as if she were the center of the world, everyone would obediently revolve around her.
But when her gaze touched Maya beside her, Kiki's smile cooled a bit.
Maya still had that carefree demeanor, her large hood obscuring her exquisite eyebrows and eyes, revealing only a dazzling pale chin. Her ankle rocked leisurely like a little boat, isolated from the bizarre surrounding environment.
Maya suddenly shifted her position, yawned, then continued to droop her head.
A lazy posture, a boring demeanor.
The good mood received a cold splash of water and Kiki inexplicably felt somewhat aggrieved.
After finishing the basics, Quentin guided them on practicing their smiles, specifically biting on chopsticks for practice.
Knowing Quentin's unusual status, these artists exerted all efforts to win her favor.
Kiki was the most outstanding among them, but the sudden onset of pain in her abdomen made her originally suave expression become distorted, the chopstick in her mouth emitted a slight "crack" sound, she persisted with practice, her weak and beautiful face thus becoming somewhat ferocious and comedic.
Kiki's mind was clear as ever. Heard Quentin appreciated those with ambition, she only needed to be diligent enough to attract Quentin's attention, if Quentin were to express concern later, she could deflect a few words and rest aside, surely leaving a good impression of endurance for Quentin.
Most artists were sitting directly opposite each other; seeing this funny scene, they held back their laughter by force.
They must present themselves well to gain Quentin's approval. The entertainment circle's renewal speed is astonishingly fast, they are always in competition, even outwardly glamorous cannot allow true relaxation.
Of course, Quentin noticed Kiki's predicament, about to express concern when suddenly a burst of laughter was heard.
The laughter grew louder, unabashed, flamboyant, giving no regard to others.
People around were also carried along into laughter, creating momentary confusion.
Cold light emitted from Quentin's eyes, glaring intensely at the culprit.
The training chopstick was thrown by Maya at her right foot, touched by dust. Noticing Quentin's gaze, Maya lifted the hat covering half of her cheek, unexpectedly showing some innocence in her expression, though her words dripped with malice.
"Sorry, it was just too funny…"