Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1322: Chapter 1318: The Perfect Exam Paper

”All the appraisal results have been displayed on the big screen, and I believe after re-evaluating these two items, everyone has their own answers in mind.”

The chief examiner slowly addressed the audience below.

The appraisers below raised their heads and looked at the big screen after hearing these words.

Various emotions like frustration, surprise, relief, and pride were intermingled on the faces of everyone as they saw the results listed on the board.

The electronic screen displayed their answer sheets, but without showing the exam numbers, so everyone could only see the answers on the screen without knowing whose paper it was.

The chief examiner flipped through the electronic screen’s answer sheets one by one and laughed: ”Now, I will announce the correct appraisal results for this assessment.”

The crucial moment had finally arrived. At this moment, all eyes were firmly fixed on the chief examiner, everyone holding their breath, waiting for his answer.

”Let’s first talk about this phonograph. I believe everyone has noticed the inscriptions and dates on the horn. That’s right, this phonograph is a classic Columbia model produced in 1905, with a very exquisite design, especially its horn and soundbox which are crafted with gilding, and it was a global sensation back then.”

”Unfortunately, this phonograph has a flaw. For some reason, its soundbox base was destroyed. In the end, the owner had no choice but to find someone skilled at making fakes to create a new soundbox base with new oak.”

”In other words, the base of this phonograph is actually fake.”

”Among the results submitted, only four people identified the issue with the phonograph base in the appraisal question.”

”These four individuals submitted answers that might not be perfect, but they all reached one point: this phonograph is neither completely authentic nor entirely a forgery.”

The chief examiner brought up those four answer sheets. When he turned to Huo Sining’s sheet, many people showed expressions of astonishment.

That was because Huo Sining’s answer was too perfect, not only pointing out the problem with the soundbox base but also detailing the phonograph’s age and origin.

”This is the most perfect answer sheet I have seen. If I were the one grading, I would give it full marks.”

The chief examiner also did not know whose answer sheet it was, and his face showed a hint of surprise. He did not expect anyone could be so detailed.

After all, this was no ordinary appraisal assessment.

In fact, this assessment was a gimmick thought up by a bunch of us old experts after racking our brains.

Before the exam, experts predicted that this would be a harsh test.

The audience below listened to the chief examiner, each looking at the electronic screen, exhibiting expressions of envy, jealousy, and hatred when they saw that answer sheet.

Many came together discussing and speculating who was capable of writing such an answer.

”Now, I will announce the appraisal result of this bronze mirror.”

The chief examiner paused, scanning everyone’s face, then continued: ”The back of this bronze mirror uses a mother-of-pearl inlay, and both its craftsmanship and carving technique are of the mid-Tang Dynasty style, which is undisputed.”

”But that doesn’t mean it’s authentic. Just like the phonograph before, this bronze mirror is also half real and half fake.”

”I believe everyone also noticed that the front of this bronze mirror was assembled after being processed and polished with modern techniques, and the verdigris was applied using chemical agents. If observed carefully, one could easily tell from the sound and smell of the verdigris on the bronze mirror.”

”In the appraisal result for this bronze mirror, seventeen people mentioned the verdigris issue, but their judgment on authenticity varied, with only eight answers being correct, and only one appraiser fully described the mirror’s details, origin, and background.”

The electronic screen once again showed that perfect answer sheet, and just like when appraising the phonograph, the handwriting was as bold and flowing, yet it precisely described the bronze mirror’s mother-of-pearl technique, period style, verdigris, and counterfeit methods, almost as if the person who answered made this bronze mirror themselves.

”Who is this? So impressive, we haven’t heard of such an extraordinary appraiser in our circle, do you know who it is?”

”Even having seen those items first-hand, if it wasn’t for the chief examiner just now saying it, I couldn’t have been so sure.”

”Could they have cheated? Otherwise, how could one answer so precisely? This person is too abnormal!”

The appraisers below began to stir, for the answer sheet was too perfect, giving them an illusory feeling.

If it wasn’t faked, how could one possibly answer so accurately just by touch?

As the answer sheets scanned onto the screen, whose appraisal was correct was evident. The examiners were still discussing grading, while the appraisers below were full of chatter.

At this moment, the exam room’s door suddenly opened, and three people walked in from outside.

When they saw someone suddenly enter, the exam room quietened abruptly, and everyone’s eyes turned towards the door.

Huo Sining also looked along with the crowd, showing surprise at seeing those three.

The visitors were none other than Qin Lianshan, Huang Zhenlong, and Zhuang Xiangyang.

Huo Sining was quite surprised that these three would suddenly come here, and it was needless to say about those appraisers.

They had been mingling in this circle for years, and for a few veterans sitting at the pyramid’s top, there was no reason not to recognize them.

They might not be so familiar with Qin Lianshan, but Huang Zhenlong and Zhuang Xiangyang were idols to many of them, with some considering surpassing these two their lifetime goal.

”Mr. Huang, Elder Qin, Elder Zhuang, what brings you all here?”

The examiners on stage stood up to greet the three unexpected arrivals, while Shi Qingyun remained seated like Mount Tai, looking at his old friends with a smile.

”We heard there’s a candidate whose answers could get full marks, so us old folks couldn’t sit still and came to check. Old Shi, just show us that candidate’s test paper! You all continue, don’t let us influence you, carry on with the evaluation as you should.”

Huang Zhenlong laughed, waving his hand to the examiners, but his gaze settled on Shi Qingyun.

Shi Qingyun also didn’t dawdle, quickly asking the staff to help and pull out the most conspicuous paper from that pile of answer sheets.

The test paper only had the exam number, so even the examiners didn’t know whose it was.