The three boys didn't respond to Wang Pan's words. Seemingly taciturn, their silence actually revealed a lot.
It was as if Wang Pan was the only one putting on a show on stage.
Professor Zhou had no interest in such trivial matters. He simply said, "Alright, since you're here on stage to identify the authenticity of antiques, don't waste everyone's time on other things."
As he spoke, he took out a painting from his box.
"Take a look at this painting and tell me if it's real or fake."
"How would you like to answer? One by one or in writing?"
Hearing this, Wang Pan immediately looked at Xu Qingqing. "Miss Xu, what do you think would be the fairest way?"
Xu Qingqing shrugged indifferently. "I was invited by you to this class. Naturally, I'll follow whatever competition method you choose."
Wang Pan was infuriated by these words.
What did Xu Qingqing mean? She was being so sarcastic.
Xu Qingqing maintained a smile throughout, but it was extremely irritating to Wang Pan.
At this moment, Song Yi, one of the three boys, spoke up. "Since we're identifying the authenticity of an ancient painting, there's no need to write notes. We can just communicate normally. None of us are here for empty fame. Just share your thoughts directly."
Song Yi's words were endorsed by the other two boys. They had already started carefully examining the painting and didn't get involved in the feud between Wang Pan and Xu Qingqing.
Xu Qingqing looked at the three boys with admiration in her eyes. This was the right attitude for a top - notch antique appraiser. Wang Pan had some talent, but she was too impatient. Perhaps having been lauded for so long had made her arrogant.
This arrogance and inability to accept defeat would eventually cause her to fall from grace and become just an ordinary person.
In fact, Xu Qingqing didn't know that Wang Pan's status among the students in the whole school had already declined significantly.
The painting depicted a Chinese - style bamboo scene. At first glance, it was a feast for the eyes, as if it could transport one to a utopia.
The bamboo in the painting was depicted in an orderly manner. The bamboo poles were slender yet full of strength, and the bamboo leaves seemed to come alive, with a grand and unrestrained momentum.
The overall painting was graceful and lifelike, making one feel as if they were on the scene.
Song Yi said, "I think this painting is real. Both the inscription and the painting style are like the original's."
The other two boys also agreed with Song Yi's view.
Wang Pan, seemingly eager to show her professionalism, said directly to Professor Zhou, "Professor Zhou, do you have any instruments here? I'd like to test the paper and ink to see if their ages match."
"Yes." Professor Zhou seemed well - prepared and took out the instruments.
Wang Pan started the on - the - spot test. After the test, she nodded. "I also think this is a genuine painting."
Professor Zhou showed no expression on his face, just nodding slightly.
Then Professor Zhou looked at Xu Qingqing. "Since you were specially invited by classmate Wang Pan, what do you think? Is this painting real or fake?"
Xu Qingqing didn't answer directly. Instead, she asked Professor Zhou, "May I ask where you got this painting, Professor Zhou? Did the person who gave it to you want you to authenticate it for resale?"
A smile appeared on Professor Zhou's face. "I'd like to ask why you're asking me this question. What does it have to do with your authentication of this painting?"
A faint smile curled up on Xu Qingqing's lips. "If this painting was bought by your friend and your friend wants you to help authenticate it, I'm sorry to tell your friend that this painting is fake."
"Of course, if you knew it was fake all along and just brought it here for teaching purposes, that's great."
Hearing Xu Qingqing's words, Wang Pan immediately retorted, "Miss Xu, although you won the copying competition before, Professor Zhou is standing right in front of you. In terms of both seniority and academic qualifications, he's no worse than you."
Xu Qingqing countered Wang Pan, "I've never denied Professor Zhou's achievements in this field, but that doesn't mean the painting he brought must be an original. Professor Zhou hasn't even spoken yet. Aren't you being a bit too pushy, classmate Wang Pan?"
Wang Pan was left speechless.
She then turned to Professor Zhou. "Professor, you tell her. I can't reason with her."
After saying that, Wang Pan waited for Professor Zhou to refute Xu Qingqing. However, she saw Professor Zhou smiling at Xu Qingqing. "Sure enough, the champion of the copying competition. This painting is indeed fake. I only confirmed it after several inspections. Miss Xu truly has talent in this regard."
Wang Pan felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head.
She had been so sure that the painting was real, thinking Xu Qingqing was being arrogant and not respecting Professor Zhou. But unexpectedly, Professor Zhou's words slapped her in the face.
It turned out that Professor Zhou and Xu Qingqing had the same view. She and the three boys were like clowns, just there to highlight their superiority. Immediately, Wang Pan clenched her fists, her eyes filled with unwillingness and hatred.
"Miss Xu, you said this painting is fake. How did you tell? Could you share it with us?"
Song Yi and the other two boys didn't have as many ulterior motives as Wang Pan. After hearing that Xu Qingqing's words were endorsed by Professor Zhou, they directly asked.
Xu Qingqing couldn't possibly say that she could tell the authenticity at a glance. Instead, she stepped forward and said, "This painting was 'peeled'. The person who did it was quite skillful. If you haven't studied this for many years, you simply won't notice."
The three boys gasped in surprise.
So it was "peeled". No wonder they didn't notice.
All four of them knew what "peeled" meant, but some students from other majors didn't. Immediately, they shouted from below, "Miss Xu, could you explain what 'peeled' means? So that we won't be deceived in the future."
Xu Qingqing looked at Professor Zhou. "Professor Zhou should explain it to you. He's more professional."
But Professor Zhou declined. "Since you discovered it, you should explain it to everyone. Otherwise, some people might suspect that you didn't win by your own ability."
Although Professor Zhou didn't say it explicitly, everyone understood what he meant. He was alluding to Wang Pan's dissatisfaction with Xu Qingqing's first - place victory before.
It also meant that Professor Zhou recognized Xu Qingqing's ability.
Seeing that Professor Zhou had put it this way, Xu Qingqing directly began to explain. "In the past, rice paper was made in layers. Generally speaking, ordinary rice paper could be separated into two or three layers, and some thick rice paper could even be separated into more than a dozen layers."