The design competition propelled Wei Yumeng's reputation to new heights. Within days, numerous companies approached her for design services. Initially, Wei Yumeng personally met with them, but eventually, the sheer volume became overwhelming.
With Zhan Mohan's assistance, she began selectively meeting only a few clients each day, choosing based on her mood, and then deciding whether to accept their commissions. Today, she had set her sights on a particular company because its name had appeared on the application list for a full fortnight. Even she, curious about this seemingly earnest company's representative, wanted to meet them.
They arranged to meet at a business club. Although the outcome of the discussion was uncertain, Wei Yumeng brought her utmost sincerity. However, when the appointed time arrived, the other party had not yet appeared. Wei Yumeng was not anxious. After nearly another half hour, the person finally showed up.
"My apologies, Ms. Wei," the newcomer was a young man. "I encountered a traffic jam on my way, which is why I'm late."
Wei Yumeng shook her head. "It's alright. Besides, you're not too late." As she spoke, she thoughtfully poured him a glass of water.
After a moment to compose himself, the man began, "Ms. Wei, my name is Xu Yuan. I am the head of Junhao Co., Ltd. I'm here today to seek an opportunity to collaborate with you."
Wei Yumeng pondered. She hadn't heard of this name before, suspecting it might be a new company. Xu Yuan, noticing her hesitation, elaborated, "Our company is a newly listed enterprise. Our business involves designing, manufacturing, and selling furniture."
"So, are you looking for designs within the furniture industry this time?"
"Not just that, Ms. Wei. We sincerely hope you will join us. Our company firmly believes that if your talent could be applied to furniture manufacturing, it would be fully showcased."
Wei Yumeng was indeed surprised by this proposition. Previously, other companies had approached her at most to design posters or arrange promotional events. This was the first time she had received an invitation from a legitimate design industry. However, furniture design... was it because of the sofa cover she designed in the competition?
"Oh, right," Xu Yuan produced a contract. "Besides this, we also wish to purchase the production rights for the sofa cover from the competition. We intend to mass-produce it and promote it in the market. I believe it will sell for a better price."
One million... Wei Yumeng looked at the amount specified on the contract. It was indeed a substantial sum. However, she had never intended to sell the sofa cover.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Xu. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you today. Neither the production rights for the sofa cover nor I myself can join your company."
Xu Yuan seemed perplexed. "Why? Is it because our offer is too low?"
"It's not that," Wei Yumeng shook her head. "I believe you should be aware of my identity. I am, by profession, the wife of the CEO of Zhan Group and also an employee of Zhan Group. Naturally, there is no reason for me to join another enterprise. As for the sofa cover, the figures depicted on it are my family members. I do not believe they can be treated as commodities."
"Ms. Wei, I hope you will reconsider. We can discuss both the working conditions and the offer further."
However, Wei Yumeng had already stood up. "I'm sorry, my decision is made." With that, Wei Yumeng prepared to leave.
If Wei Yumeng had known that their intention was to poach her to another company, she would never have agreed to meet them here. She could never betray Zhan Mohan.
"Ms. Wei, as I said, I hope you will carefully consider my words." Xu Yuan's voice echoed from behind Wei Yumeng, but his tone was no longer as friendly; it even carried a hint of threat.
Wei Yumeng paused. She turned to look at Xu Yuan. "Mr. Xu, is this how you resort to threats when negotiations fail?"
Xu Yuan pulled out another document from his bag. "Ms. Wei, I didn't intend to resort to this tactic. However, since you're not accepting a gracious offer, I'll have to use some unconventional methods." He placed the document on the table, but Wei Yumeng had no intention of looking at it.
"Ms. Wei, I advise you to take a look. Otherwise, you won't even know what's happening when something goes wrong."
Wei Yumeng finally picked up the document and examined it closely. "This is..." Wei Yumeng could hardly believe it. The document clearly stated that the sofa cover she designed for the competition had been first designed by Junhao Company a month prior and was already slated for sale. It even included various photographs and images to prove it.
Wei Yumeng had heard of such tactics. Some companies, after failing to bribe employees from other firms, would directly steal their products. By releasing them before anyone else, it became impossible to determine who held the copyright. In such situations, even the original creators could only suffer in silence.
Although everyone who had seen the competition believed the artwork belonged to Wei Yumeng, the document also listed some so-called clients who claimed to have purchased identical sofa covers a month ago. Even if she didn't care about the copyright issue, her competition entry would be reduced to a farce. She had exposed Pei Yun Ya's scheme at the time, only for it to be revealed now that her own work was plagiarized. Wouldn't this put Zhan Group in a precarious position?
"You are too despicable!" Wei Yumeng exclaimed. She was grateful that she hadn't agreed to join such a company from the outset. But what should she do now?
"There are no honest merchants," Xu Yuan chuckled triumphantly. "Ms. Wei, the conditions we've offered you are already quite generous. What more are you not satisfied with? We simply admire your talent and want you to join us. That's all."
"I will not associate with people like you," Wei Yumeng's stance remained firm.
Xu Yuan shrugged helplessly. "Very well. Then, we'll have to meet in court. I believe this document is sufficient to prove that you are the plagiarizer." Xu Yuan stood up decisively, intending to leave before Wei Yumeng. He was confident that Wei Yumeng would not disregard Zhan Group's reputation, nor would she allow her own issues to affect Zhan Group.
Just as his hand reached the doorknob of the private room, Wei Yumeng spoke. "Wait!"
"What? Ms. Wei, have you changed your mind?"
Wei Yumeng could not allow this to affect Zhan Group, but she also could not let the other party succeed. She had to find another way to deal with this situation. And the breakthrough lay solely with Xu Yuan before her.