The Painting Is An Imitation

Bailey was taken aback for a moment. Then, she exclaimed in excitement, "The Chinese painting program at the Imperial University has always been my goal! But I feel that my painting skills still need improvement because I haven't had a good teacher to guide me."

She knew that the more modest she appeared, the better impression Simon would have of her when they talked about the paintings in the exhibition later.

"That's okay. If you really want to participate in the art exam, you can call me then," Simon said, seeming to really like Bailey, and he even left her a business card.

"Thank you, Master Simon!" Bailey sweetly smiled and took the card with both hands.

Then, they arrived at the last painting in the exhibition, which was also the most valuable one.

Bailey had done her homework and knew the origin of this final piece very well. She immediately recited the information she had found.

"This painting is by Knox, the most spirited Chinese painting master in Splendid Country. Knox is low-key and only publicly displayed three paintings before he stopped painting. Now, all three paintings are in the hands of private collectors. This is one of them!"

"This painting, 'The Great Country and Its Rivers and Mountains,' is three meters long and has been imitated by many famous Chinese painting masters in Splendid Country, including Master Evans, who publicly imitated it last year."

"This painting is grand in its momentum and bold in its innovation in details, breaking some of the traditional rules in the world of Chinese painting," Bailey spoke confidently in front of the last painting, immediately attracting the attention of the exhibition guests around her.

"When Splendid Country was first released, some critics criticized it for losing the essence of Chinese painting," she continued.

"But a perfect work can withstand the test of time. In just two years, those who fiercely criticized this work have changed their minds. And Knox, he is destined to become a legend in the world of Splendid Country painting..."

The praises of the people around her entered Madam Collins' ears, making her back straighter and her expression filled with pride.

Wherever she went, as long as she brought Bailey with her, she would become the center of attention and the object of envy for others. She enjoyed being admired by others.

And this was also the key reason why she was willing to spend money to cultivate Bailey.

Unfortunately...

Thinking of this, Madam Collins couldn't help but look at Hayley.

One daughter was enough for her!

"Why did God have to give her another useless person?!" Simon exclaimed.

Simon's eyes lit up. "You know about Master Knox?"

Although Knox was a legend in the Chinese painting world, he was still relatively unknown to students who had just started learning Chinese painting. Moreover, because Knox's brushwork was sometimes too abstract, it was not easy for beginners to imitate. Therefore, most Chinese painting teachers would not specifically introduce Knox's works, fearing that students would not grasp the scale. After all, if they imitated rashly, it would only delay their progress.

At least among Simon's students, no one knew about Master Knox, let alone his background and works.

"I only know a little bit about him," Bailey modestly smiled, and continued, "and I also know my own limitations.

Now is the time to lay a solid foundation and consolidate basic skills, so for Master Knox's works, I can only appreciate them for now and dare not imitate them."

After hearing Bailey's words, Simon was even more satisfied with her.

"You have a clear understanding of yourself!"

The people around even began to applaud Bailey's speech, making her the unique focus of the crowd.

However, in a corner where no one paid attention, Hayley took a glance at the painting in front of her and lost interest.

After Bailey finished reading Susan's "little essay," Hayley calmly spoke up, "This painting is a copy."

Although Hayley's voice was not loud, everyone around was silent, and they all heard her clearly.

Suddenly, including Simon, everyone's face sank.

At an art exhibition, it is quite rude to conclude that a painting is a forgery without sufficient evidence. This is not only disrespectful to the organizers,but also to the audience present!

After all, when everyone present is praising a painting, suddenly someone says it's fake, isn't it like slapping everyone in the face?

As expected, after Hayley finished speaking, someone immediately retorted coldly, "This art exhibition is a key project of the Pearl City Cultural Festival. How could there be fake paintings?"

"Don't pretend to know everything! Judging by your age, you should still be in high school, right? If you want to show off, you also need to know the occasion!"

The guests around saw the expression on Hayley's face and showed full disdain.

In addition, Hayley publicly stated that this "Great Country Landscape" was fake, which immediately deepened their disgust towards her.

"Young people nowadays don't learn well. There are so many experts here. When is it your turn to interrupt?"

"Can't you see the national painting master here? Even the national painting master didn't see any problems with this painting. How did you see it?"

"Hehe, do you think your level is higher than Master Su's?" Laughter erupted from the crowd. Most of them were ridiculing Hayley's lack of self-awareness, while a small group looked expectantly at Simon. If Master Su could come forward and explain in person, it would shut up those who were just trying to stir up trouble. Sensing the gaze of the crowd, Simon looked at Hayley behind Madam Collins, and his face immediately turned cold. "This is pure nonsense! This painting is a genuine work by Master Knox! Who is your teacher? Bring him to me!" "Teacher Stewart, I'm sorry. She's my sister and she also likes Chinese painting, but she doesn't know much about it. She just misspoke for a moment. Please don't blame her..." "Hayley! If you don't speak, no one will treat you like a mute! How can you have the right to speak when there are so many famous masters here?" Madam Collins was so angry that she wanted to slap Hayley hard, but she restrained herself due to the many people around her. "Sister, I know you just came back and lack confidence, but you've always wanted to show yourself. However, in this kind of situation, it's better to do some homework before speaking!" Bailey walked up to Hayley and affectionately took her hand. "I'm sorry for my sister's nonsense just now. I apologize on her behalf!" Bailey's words made the other people present even more angry. "What's wrong with you? As an older sister, you don't even know how to teach your younger sister to behave!"

"Little girl, it's not your fault! You don't need to apologize..." While everyone was blaming Hayley for being ignorant, she broke free from Bailey's hand and walked a few steps forward to the painting. The weighty voice emitted an invisible aura of authority and confidence.

"This painting, 'The Great Nation,' is indeed a fake. The original artist, Knox, had a habit of leaving her unique signature in her artwork, which would blend into the painting and be unnoticeable to outsiders."

"When Knox painted 'The Great Nation,' she hid her signature in the mountain peak at three-quarters of the painting, right at this position. But it's not there in this painting."

"Hahaha..." Hayley finished speaking, and a burst of laughter erupted from the surroundings. Everyone looked at her as if she were a fool.

"I have never heard of Master Knox having this habit!" Simon's eyes were filled with anger. He pointed to the painting in front of him and then turned to Hayley. "And even if what you said is true, how could you recognize the unnoticeable signature?"

"Master Su, don't bother with this arrogant fool!" someone else interjected. "This clown just wants to attract attention. Let's ignore her and let her jump around on her own!"

Bailey stepped forward again and tugged on Hayley's sleeve.

"Sis, please stop talking..."

"I know you want to perform well at the art exhibition today and secure a spot at Pearl City First Academy, but if you keep talking like this, you'll only leave a worse impression on people!"

After Bailey spoke, the disdain in the eyes of the surrounding people towards Hayley became even stronger.

"What? She thinks she can get into First Academy with her looks and intelligence?"

"Does she really think First Academy is a garbage dump that accepts all kinds of waste?"