Pingxi Painting and Calligraphy Appraisal Institute

Li Dan took Shen Xi's two paintings and examined them carefully. Then, he led the judges over to study the two paintings. A hushed round of deliberation ensued. Not long after, Li Dan picked up the microphone and said, "Our judges have concluded that Shen Xi's submission is valid. The participating work is her creation."

With the stamp of approval from the judging panel, everyone believed Shen Xi did not cheat.

Only Jiang Xue was unhappy with the result. Grabbing the microphone, she said, "I have a question. If Shen Xi's work is her own, how do you explain the painting in the photo?"

Slyly, she continued, "Are the judges insinuating that the Young Master Guan of Beijing stole Shen Xi's works? I'm sure that can't be it. Perhaps the organization that appraised the paintings isn't as reputable as we would like, and their assessment may not be accurate."