Xia Zhizhi: “……”
She had said it—this still was not the stage where Gu Jingshen would regret chasing his wife to the crematorium-level disaster.
What an idiotic, self-confident fool who was both blind and foolish.
Everyone’s phones were simultaneously aimed at Xia Zhizhi. Was she going to apologize?
Plagiarism was shameful—an apology would already be too generous.
How could a plagiarist even dare to slap the original designer in the face? Truly vicious and bold.
Because of their preconceived bias, everyone subconsciously believed Xia Zhizhi was the plagiarist.
They assumed this plagiarism incident would not have any reversal.
However, Xia Zhizhi straightened her back, opened her phone, found the publicly released design by Nan Yan, and handed it to Qi Si.
“Mr. Qi, you have seen my first draft design sketches, its inspiration, and the meaning behind the work—all of it is reflected there. I can even develop a full series based on it that gradually elevates the design.”
“Now look at Nan Yan’s work. It is obvious at a glance who the plagiarist is. Nan Yan only copied the design itself—she cannot copy its soul.”
Qi Si looked at Xia Zhizhi, then at Nan Yan, and finally his gaze landed on Mo Jinchuan.
At that moment, he truly wanted to slap himself twice. Of all things, why had he casually picked up those papers in the VIP box and looked at them?
Now he had become a pawn in Xia Zhizhi’s attempt to prove her case.
Xia Zhizhi was indeed clever—she had made it seem like she was only there to return a dress, but now it was clear.
She had been waiting for this moment all along.
Qi Si had already secretly checked Nan Yan’s work online earlier. Compared with the draft sketches, it did look like plagiarism.
But he could not just say outright that Nan Yan was the plagiarist. Moreover, with so many people present, he naturally had to stand on Nan Yan’s side.
However, what Nan Yan had done was indeed foolish. Could design really be copied once or even twice? She would be exposed sooner or later.
Qi Si did not know how to respond.
Seeing this situation, Mo Jinchuan immediately understood everything. He raised his hand, and Special Assistant Dong understood instantly, instructing the bar manager to clear the venue.
Xia Zhizhi saw that Qi Si did not take the phone and immediately guessed he had already checked online.
She took back her phone, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
“What? Are you choosing to cover for her just because I have no power or influence? Everyone here is powerless. Today it is me; tomorrow it could be anyone else. It is ridiculous that plagiarism can still win first place.”
As soon as she spoke, someone in the crowd followed.
“Exactly. Just because someone has power means they can act lawlessly? I already uploaded the video of Nan Yan hitting someone just now. The public will see the truth.”
“That’s right, I’m also powerless. Why are you clearing the place? Are you feeling guilty?”
The crowd buzzed unwillingly, refusing to leave.
Once the narrative of “the weak” was invoked, everyone resonated with it.
Gu Jingshen looked at Nan Yan with a complicated expression.
“Ah Yan, did you really plagiarize Zhizhi?”
Xia Zhizhi sneered internally. Even now, Gu Jingshen—the blind man—was still asking such a question. With so many people present, how could Nan Yan possibly admit it?
The more the situation escalated, the higher Nan Yan would be lifted—and the harder she would fall.
Yet the next second, Nan Yan admitted it openly and without hesitation.
“Yes, I plagiarized it.”
Truly—everyone had been going in circles, trying to force a confession indirectly, yet no one had directly asked the person involved.
“……”
“……”
The noisy venue instantly fell silent.
What? What did they just hear?
Nan Yan bowed deeply toward the stunned Xia Zhizhi.
“Sorry. I sincerely apologize to you. Plagiarism was my fault. I will apply for a permanent disqualification and will never touch design again.”
This matter of plagiarism was indeed her mistake; apologizing was only right.
Xia Zhizhi pinched her wrist hard. It hurt—she was not dreaming.
Mo Jinchuan looked at Nan Yan with a complicated gaze. This woman had once again refreshed his understanding of her.
Earlier, when he caught Qi Si’s glance, Mo Jinchuan had already suspected that Nan Yan was the plagiarist.
Whether because of her status as Mrs. Mo or concern for Old Master Mo’s health, his first thought had been to clear the area and investigate privately.
But instead, her very first sentence had been to publicly admit plagiarism.
And she had done it so calmly and confidently—what was this?
The crowd was once again stunned into silence by this sudden confession and apology.
This… this… she admitted it so directly, apologized so sincerely—how were they supposed to criticize her?
“You admit you are the plagiarist? Right?”
The paparazzi finally spoke after hesitation. After all, he had been paid by Xia Zhizhi and needed to say something.
Nan Yan nodded in confusion.
“Yes, I am. Was I not clear enough? Do I need a press conference? Or a ten-thousand-word apology letter online?”
Paparazzi: “……”
It was the first time he had seen someone apologize so readily—and so politely.
Looking at Nan Yan’s innocent and confused face, he even felt a bit like he was being unreasonable. She had already apologized.
Nan Yan guessed he was someone hired by Xia Zhizhi. She pulled his camera closer and faced the lens.
“Hello everyone, I am Nan Yan. The first-place design in this competition was plagiarized. No matter the reason, I should apologize to Miss Xia Zhizhi. Plagiarism is shameful. To express my apology, please feel free to criticize me—but please be precise and do not involve my family.”
“Additionally, I will withdraw permanently from jewelry design and will no longer enter this industry. Please supervise me.”
After finishing the recording, Nan Yan turned to Xia Zhizhi.
“Is this apology acceptable?”
Xia Zhizhi: “……”
Aren’t we supposed to be enemies?
I am over here carefully plotting, preparing countermeasures, and you just admit everything and apologize without resistance?
You are making my entire plan feel like a joke.
Xia Zhizhi bit her lip and refused to give up.
“Is everything like you said? Then where is fairness in this world?”
“Fairness?” Nan Yan suddenly laughed, her tone carrying ridicule and disdain, though her smile did not reach her eyes.
“Then tell me—what kind of fairness do you want? For me to divorce?”
She paused and stared directly into her eyes.
“Or for me to die?”
Clearly, she had been used as a stepping stone and a comparison figure. And yet the female lead was talking about fairness?
Who was she supposed to talk to about fairness?
【Urgent reminder: Host, you are talking too much.】
The system hurriedly warned.
The plot had already gone off track—why was she still exposing things?
Xia Zhizhi’s pupils contracted slightly, a flash of surprise passing through her eyes, but she quickly controlled it.
Did Nan Yan know the plot? Or was she also a transmigrator?
No—that was impossible. On her first day here, the system had said she was the only transmigrator.
She forced herself to calm down. It must have been a coincidence.
“It’s fine. It’s not that serious. Just don’t do it again.”
Xia Zhizhi said briefly before turning and leaving in haste.
Her intuition told her that continuing this would be disadvantageous.
Mo Jinchuan silently observed the expressions and conversation between Nan Yan and Xia Zhizhi.
Something was off about those two.