Su Ci Liang stared at the impatient judges, almost sneering.
Were these people trying to impress the leaders?
But was it really a good idea for them to jump out without understanding the full picture?
Su Xiao Tian couldn't hold back and wanted to rush forward.
Just then, she heard Su Ci Liang speak.
His voice, clear and bright like the moon, was exceptionally pure.
"Shouldn't all the teachers wait for me to say something before making a judgment?"
Perhaps because of the scandal, the judges were in a bad mood and wished Su Ci Liang would simply disappear.
They had no desire to hear him speak.
However, to their surprise, Director Gu nodded.
"Go ahead!"
Su Ci Liang nodded and thanked Director Gu.
"Even if these practice pieces are signed by Jiang Yue Shan, does that prove that Jiang Yue Shan painted these pictures?"
The judge who spoke clearly felt that Su Ci Liang was quibbling.
"Young man, don't ruin your life over a temporary mistake. We are advising you earnestly for your own good!" said an elder with a head full of white hair.
"Elder Wu, I am speaking the truth. This 'Long River Setting Sun' painting and these practice pieces were all painted by me." Su Ci Liang's clear voice filled every corner of the auditorium.
His voice was calm and cool, without much fluctuation.
He was merely stating facts and didn't need excessive emotion.
Cao Gao Xuan sharply reprimanded, "Su Ci Liang, Yue Shan has a good temper, but I cannot tolerate any sand in my eyes!"
"Teacher, please don't be angry. Ci Liang was just confused for a moment!" Jiang Yue Shan immediately stepped forward to play the peacemaker.
Hearing Cao Gao Xuan and Jiang Yue Shan speak, the audience's gaze towards Su Ci Liang became even more disdainful.
"This isn't something you can just brush off with words. Young man, every painting has a signature!"
A younger judge pointed at a stack of paintings, his fingers trembling with anger.
If this were his student, he would have slapped him to death!
"A signature and a painting are different, aren't they?"
Su Ci Liang's voice remained calm.
"I'd like to ask student Jiang Yue Shan, besides these practice paintings, do you have any other evidence to prove that these two paintings of mine are yours?"
Jiang Yue Shan hadn't expected Su Ci Liang to remain so stubborn and unwilling to compromise at this point.
A hint of malice flashed in her eyes.
If he wouldn't accept a toast, he'd have to drink a forfeit!
"Ci Liang, these are sufficient proof. I'm sure all the teachers can see clearly."
"Ci Liang, just admit your mistake, and I promise I won't pursue it! Even if you don't want to return the trophy to me, don't worry!"
Jiang Yue Shan's expression was one of utter grievance, her tears on the verge of falling.
Hearing Jiang Yue Shan's words, Su Xiao Tian was completely stunned. Could someone be this shameless?
"May I ask, what are the characteristics of the two award-winning works today?" Su Ci Liang suddenly asked.
A flicker of panic crossed Jiang Yue Shan's eyes. How could she possibly know the characteristics of these two paintings by Su Ci Liang?
She hadn't seen these two paintings before.
She had only glanced at them briefly just now and hadn't discerned anything significant.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yue Shan felt that Su Ci Liang was too insidious. These two paintings were clearly not painted by him at school.
Jiang Yue Shan was so flustered she didn't know how to answer.
Cao Gao Xuan immediately chimed in, "Don't quibble. You've truly disappointed me. Your senior is already not holding you accountable and is even willing to give up the award. She's been very lenient with you!"
The people in the audience found the words strange, yet they couldn't pinpoint why.
"Teacher Cao, are you sure this is leniency towards me, rather than an attempt to ruin my reputation?" Su Ci Liang asked coldly.
"Once my reputation is tarnished, no matter how good my paintings are in the future, I will inevitably be criticized by the world!"
Did these two really think he, Su Ci Liang, was a fool?
This matter had to be resolved on the spot today; it couldn't be delayed, otherwise, his reputation might truly be ruined.
Since Su Ci Liang had decided to pursue this path, he could not allow any blemishes on his reputation.
"You can't tell the characteristics of these two paintings of mine, but I can tell you the characteristics of student Jiang Yue Shan's 'Long River Setting Sun' painting!"
When Su Ci Liang said this, the previously boisterous venue fell into a moment of silence.
"When Yue Shan was painting the 'Long River Setting Sun,' you were by her side, so naturally, you can describe it!"
After his eyelids twitched, Cao Gao Xuan immediately retorted.
"Oh, then please, senior sister, describe this 'Long River Setting Sun' painting, won't you?" Su Ci Liang smiled faintly, though his smile was rather provoking.
"This painting was created as I was inspired by the ancient poetic line, 'The river stretches to the setting sun, round and bright.'"
Jiang Yue Shan racked her brain, but she couldn't say much more!
This matter was actually her fault. After receiving the painting, she hadn't paid close attention and had submitted it for registration with just a signature.
She had only glanced at it briefly, and she wasn't very clear about the details in the painting.
"This painting depicts my hometown. The courtyard in the lower left corner is my home."
"Don't spout nonsense. I'll say it's my hometown too!" Jiang Yue Shan's face turned red as she immediately retorted.
"If I recall correctly, Cousin Yue Shan is from the south, while the courtyard in this painting is typical of Northwest Chinese residential architecture. Are there any teachers present who are knowledgeable about architecture?"
Su Ci Liang called out loudly.
Unexpectedly, someone from the audience did step forward, stating they were a teacher from the architecture department and had specifically researched residential buildings in various regions.
After examining the painting for a while, that person concluded.
"The residential buildings in the painting are typical Northwest Chinese dwellings. You can tell from the windows.
The Northwest region is located deep inland. Compared to the southeastern coastal areas, it has weaker maritime influence. Furthermore, due to its latitudinal position, it experiences a temperate monsoon climate.
In winter, it is deeply affected by the Mongolian high-pressure system from the north, making it cold and dry. In summer, being deep inland, it receives very little warm airflow from the Indian low-pressure system, resulting in high temperatures and dryness.
Therefore, the most prominent characteristic of Northwest dwellings is their thick walls and small, few windows, designed to withstand the severe cold. However, the Northwest receives little rain, so the roofs are flat.
In addition, there is a sand date tree in the painting. Sand date trees, also known as Osmanthus willow, are primarily found in the Northwest and are not common in the south."
The more this teacher spoke, the more unsightly Cao Gao Xuan and Jiang Yue Shan's expressions became.
Where did this person who suddenly appeared to disrupt things come from?
Su Ci Liang smiled. This teacher was truly a stroke of genius!
Upon hearing this analysis, the people around them began to harbor doubts. Their gazes towards Cao Gao Xuan and Jiang Yue Shan became meaningful.
"Senior Sister Yue Shan, could you please tell me which of the three trees in this painting is the sand date tree?" Su Ci Liang asked with a playful grin, though his smile was quite infuriating.