It seems that learning to draw can’t be delayed any longer.

Based on the information Brian Carter gathered over the summer vacation, the comic industry in this world is naturally quite good. Of course, the comic giants are still the island nation and America. In this world, although the island nation doesn’t have those hot-blooded shonen manga like “Naruto,” “Dragon Ball,” “Bleach,” or “One Piece,” the comic industry is still thriving and has produced many excellent anime works. The masterpieces are on par with anime like “One Piece.” As for America, on Earth, the most famous American animations are the superhero series, which influenced the generation born in the 80s and 90s. Ask any 80s or 90s kid—who doesn’t know Spider-Man, who doesn’t know Batman?

However, in this world, America’s main focus isn’t on superhero animations, but rather on educational or comedic cartoons, much like “Tom and Jerry” or “Cars” on Earth. Plus, with America’s high production standards, most cartoons can be made into animated movies.

The positions of the two comic giants, America and the island nation, remain unshaken, but what has changed greatly is the animation industry in China.

In his previous life on Earth, Chinese animation could only be described as miserable. First, there was the impact of piracy; second, people didn’t have the habit of buying comics. Unlike the island nation and America, where a single comic could sell over a hundred million copies, and the only notable animation was “Qin’s Moon,” which was critically acclaimed but not commercially successful. The only profitable one was “Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.” Such a vast country as China was supported by just “Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.”

Now, in the world where Brian Carter lives, there are a few best-selling comics, but compared to the island nation and America, they still fall far behind. Moreover, the domestic comic industry lags far behind the literary industry. Naturally, Brian Carter feels he must shoulder the future of his country’s comic industry and embark on a grand journey of “borrowing”—no, “referencing”—great works.

After school, he followed William Reed to his uncle’s training center.

[Eight Great Mountain Men Training Center]

“Isn’t that a strange name? People who don’t know might think this place trains farmers.”

“I think the name is pretty good,” Brian Carter nodded thoughtfully.

“It’s not bad. Eight Great Mountain Men—when I first saw the name, I thought it was a place that taught people to dig and farm.”

“Eight Great Mountain Men is actually the pseudonym taken in his later years by Zhu Da, one of the Four Monks of the early Qing painting scene. Tiger, it seems your uncle must really love Zhu Da’s paintings, that’s why he chose this name.”

“Haha, this classmate is right. Kid, I told you to read more books when you have time. If you listened to me, you wouldn’t make such jokes, thinking this is a place to train people to dig and farm. You brat, you’re asking for a beating.” This was William Reed’s uncle, Nancy Reed.

“I didn’t expect this classmate to be so knowledgeable. Zhu Da’s name isn’t as famous in the art world as Wu Daozi, but I do have a particular fondness for Zhu Da’s works.” In Nancy Reed’s words, there was a hint of praise for Brian Carter. Zhu Da’s name isn’t as well-known as Wu Daozi or Qi Baishi. Even if you ask an adult who Zhu Da or the Eight Great Mountain Men are, most wouldn’t know. Yet Brian Carter, just a middle schooler, could explain it so clearly—this is truly impressive.

“Of course, Xiao Si is knowledgeable! He just wrote an article that was selected for the school magazine,” William Reed said proudly, as if it were his own article that got published.

“What are you showing off for? It’s not you who’s talented. You said you had a friend who wanted to learn to draw—this must be him, right?”

“Yes, yes, this is my best buddy Brian Carter.” William Reed introduced, “Xiao Si, this is my uncle.”

“Hello, uncle. I’ve always wanted to learn to draw, but never had the chance. I heard Tiger’s uncle runs a training center, so I thickened my skin and asked Tiger to bring me here.”

“Just for that ‘uncle,’ of course I won’t refuse. Besides the summer and winter classes, we have lessons every Saturday at 2 p.m., three hours each. If there’s no problem, you can start this week.”

“No problem, of course no problem! How much is the tuition? I can pay it all at once right now.” Brian Carter currently had five thousand yuan in cash in his pocket.

“Since you called me uncle, why talk about money?”

“That doesn’t seem right…” Brian Carter hesitated.

“Xiao Si, don’t be polite. My uncle’s training center has eight or nine teachers and seventy or eighty students. One more or less doesn’t make a difference. Besides, my uncle is loaded—he doesn’t care about this little bit of money. You haven’t been to his house; the famous paintings he has—just selling one could feed me for ages.”

“You brat, all you think about is eating. But what this brat said is true. With eighty or ninety students, one more doesn’t matter. And since you were introduced by this brat, if I charged you, he’d probably grumble about it later.”

“Hehe, my parents gave me life, but my uncle knows me best.”

“You! Stop quoting the classics.”