The problem of students paying someone else to write their academic papers is all too familiar on the mainland - and it is being driven by a thriving industry.
The companies providing such services via the internet offer round-the-clock customer service and a function to track the progress of the essay being written.
They advertise for ghostwriters and offer service pledges. Students who want to buy an essay can even choose which grade they would like.
At iPassEssay.com, students are offered an essay for a minimum of 850 yuan (HK$1,040), which guarantees a B-minus. Students willing to spend more can buy an A-plus essay for 1,550 yuan.
The annual turnover of this market is estimated at more than one billion yuan, according to research by Wuhan University in 2010.
And the companies are eager to please. Huifeng.com promises that students will only be charged for an essay if they are satisfied with it.