NOVEL NEXT Chapter 332 - 332: [332] It's really him! _1
Chapter 332: [332] It’s really him! _1
The intermediate assessment for the category of calligraphy and painting had ended.
The person in charge delivered the collected forms to the panel of judges.
The judges began to check their answers against the submissions and scored them accordingly.
When it came to Zhong Pan’er’s paper, a judge from Group A couldn’t help but exclaim, “Not bad at all; finally, a correct answer—quite rare.”
After Group B’s judge took the paper, they were also surprised, “Group B’s answer is also correct. Truly worthy of being Mr. Yao’s top disciple; indeed extraordinary.”
The paper was passed along, and surprisingly, all the answers were correct.
The judges became increasingly amazed.
They had all heard that this Zhong Pan’er had been studying under Yao Guhuai for less than three years.
Her passing the preliminary assessment for all categories was already beyond everyone’s expectations.
Now, to think she performed this impressively in the intermediate assessment as well.
Doesn’t this mean that this young woman is going to obtain the intermediate appraiser qualification on her first attempt at the examination?
It isn’t to say that there will never be anyone like her, but she is certainly unprecedented.
In the history of Zhonghai’s appraiser assessments, no one has ever obtained the intermediate qualification on their first try.
Everyone usually completes the preliminary assessment first, then after a few years, once they’ve accumulated enough strength, they try for the intermediate appraiser qualification.
If Zhong Pan’er indeed passes the intermediate assessment, that would also be a historic first.
All the judges stopped marking and turned their attention to the result of this particular paper.
When the seventh judge finished scoring, he couldn’t resist sighing deeply, “We can applaud now. Zhong Pan’er has successfully scored seventy points, creating history in Zhonghai Antique Circle’s appraiser examination.”
“Hiss…”
The seated judges were all dignified individuals who would naturally maintain their composure and not act as jubilantly as the audience or the contestants.
But they were still deeply moved.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, to obtain the intermediate appraiser qualification on the first attempt—this young woman is no ordinary person!”
“It’s not just about being no ordinary person; I think it’s not an exaggeration to call her the number one talent in Zhonghai Antique Circle.”
“I dare to predict that this young woman will become a leading figure in Zhonghai Antique Circle. Such talent is too rare.”
“Mr. Yao has a worthy successor…”
People again expressed their congratulations to Yao Guhuai.
Yao Guhuai quickly wore a smiling face, “Pan’er is still a novice, and in the future, she’ll need everyone’s support and guidance.”
Although he tried to control his expression, he still couldn’t stop smiling broadly.
Having his disciple shine in the appraiser’s examination reflected well on him as her mentor.
When others praised his disciple, it was as if they were praising him.
Ouyang Yushan, watching Yao Guhuai, couldn’t deny his envy.
Even he had to admit that Zhong Pan’er’s talent was extraordinary, a one-in-a-million genius.
That old fellow Yao Guhuai having such a disciple was indeed the envy of others.
The judges discussed amongst themselves for a moment before continuing to mark the papers.
And as Zhong Pan’er’s paper made its way down, the answers were all correct.
But when it reached Ouyang Yushan, there was a hiccup.
“0 points.”
Ouyang Yushan glanced at her answers and then wrote a score of zero in the scoring column below.
Yao Guhuai was initially hoping his disciple would pass with full marks, making it even more perfect.
But when he saw the score Ouyang Yushan had given, his face suddenly changed, “Mr. Ouyang? Are you sure? How can it be zero points?”
Ouyang Yushan put down his pen, smiling as he looked at him, “She answered incorrectly. If not zero points, how many should I give?”
“Her first nine answers were all correct, how could she get it wrong with you?” Yao Guhuai was dissatisfied with the result and raised his voice a bit.
The others judges’ attention was drawn by the commotion.
Ouyang Yushan’s face also darkened, “Are you suggesting that I am petty, unable to see your disciple succeed, and thus I gave her a score of zero despite her correct answers? Is that it?”
Yao Guhuai faced those sharp eyes and suddenly felt doubtful, “I… I didn’t say that. I just think that…”
“Does what you think matter? If you doubt my integrity, you can go to the assessment area and verify it yourself to see if I scored unfairly,” Ouyang Yushan finished, sharply slapping the table, startling the other judges.
Fearing a confrontation between the two top authorities, many stepped forward to mediate.
Ultimately, under pressure, Yao Guhuai could only apologize to Ouyang Yushan, “Mr. Ouyang, I misspoke just now; please don’t take it to heart. I apologize.”
He had simply found it hard to accept this imperfect result and therefore raised an objection.
In fact, if he had just calmed down, he would have realized that Ouyang Yushan would not resort to deceit.
Because a simple verification in the assessment area would reveal the correct answers.
With Ouyang Yushan’s stature, he wouldn’t stoop to petty manipulation over such a minor matter.
“Hmph.”
Ouyang Yushan did not accept his apology and continued to mark the next paper.
Yao Guhuai knew the rift between them was growing deeper and was now beyond repair.
But he didn’t care, for with his current status in the antique world, there was little he needed from Ouyang Yushan.
Once Zhong Pan’er grew up, his status in the antique world would rise even higher.
By then, Ouyang Yushan might be the one seeking his favor.
The judges returned to their seats to continue marking papers.
“Huh?”
Just then, a judge from Group A let out an exclamation as if they had seen something unbelievable.
All the judges turned their heads in curiosity.
“Ah?”
When the paper made it to Group B’s judge, they also emitted a sound of disbelief.
“What’s going on?”
The following judges looked at each other, clueless as to what the previous two were doing.
However, that was just the beginning.
The exclamations seemed to be contagious.
Group C’s judge: “My goodness!”
Group D’s judge: “Goodness me!”
Group E’s judge: “This is really unbelievable…”
The more the front judges exclaimed, the more curious the rear ones became.
One by one, they were on tenterhooks, longing to rush forward and snatch the paper to see for themselves what was so peculiar about it that had so astounded the previous judges.
When the paper reached Yao Guhuai’s hands, he first looked at the name of the candidate.
“Tang Feng!”
It was indeed him!