Chen Lishu nodded, "Precisely."
Zhang, the deputy director, curled his lips into a mocking smile. "Is that so? What a coincidence. Your design draft looks quite similar to the one Manager Yang showed me earlier. It seems your ideas and thoughts are quite alike."
As he spoke, Zhang handed the blueprints in his hand to Yang Lili.
Although he had managed to save face with his words, it was no different than directly accusing Chen Lishu of plagiarism.
Yang Lili glanced at the blueprints in her hand, her expression momentarily darkening. However, she quickly regained her composure and forced a smile, saying, "I believe there must be some misunderstanding. Chairman Chen and I were university classmates. We even took the same train to Kyoto this time, and we barely discussed work matters. While unlikely, it's not impossible for designs to have similarities. I trust Chairman Chen's integrity."
Yang Lili's words seemed to be an explanation for Chen Lishu, but in reality, they were more damaging than no explanation at all.
Anyone with common sense could see what was happening.
Xin Xin Company, where Yang Lili worked, was a large foreign-funded enterprise with a chairman who also owned several well-known companies in real estate and other sectors. Shu Se Garment Factory, on the other hand, was a small factory that he had never even heard of. Moreover, they were university classmates and had traveled together. It was inevitable that work matters would be discussed.
Yang Lili was indeed from a large company, possessing a level of composure beyond the ordinary.
If not for this unfortunate coincidence, the opportunity might have been seized by someone else. Now, she even had to defend the other party.
Chen Lishu's gaze remained fixed on Yang Lili. Seeing her look up, she met her eyes and said, "I’ve never believed in coincidences. I started working on my design drafts before I came. Manager Yang, if one cannot uphold basic moral standards, no matter which path they choose, they will not go far."
Yang Lili's eyes flickered. "Lishu, what are you talking about? It's just a sponsorship for the Spring Festival Gala. If you ask, I can try to negotiate with the leadership. For the sake of our past friendship, what if I let you have it? Why must you..."
Yang Lili seemed deeply hurt, unable to finish her sentence.
However, the people present had essentially understood the situation.
Chen Lishu, from a small factory, not only plagiarized Yang Lili's design drafts to gain fame but also intended to snatch the sponsorship.
"The Spring Festival Gala reaches a national audience. We only cooperate with trustworthy and reputable companies. For smaller companies, it would be better to consider how to improve themselves first," Deputy Director Zhang stated.
Hearing this, Chen Lishu inwardly questioned if her company had just been labeled as untrustworthy.
She would not bear such a stigma.
"Director Zhang, it's perhaps too early to make a judgment. Who copied whom is yet to be determined, isn't it? Is the standard of judgment based solely on the size of the company?" Chen Lishu said, enunciating each word.
Despite being in the wrong, Zhang felt his temper rise when Chen Lishu, after he had offered some leeway, adopted such an attitude.
"The situation is clear as day. Am I wrong? Instead of talking nonsense with me here, you should focus on finding the reasons within yourselves."
Yang Lili chimed in, "Director Zhang, please calm down. I believe Chairman Chen's words are just a result of her inability to accept the outcome for now and are not directed at you."
As they spoke, the performers and staff who were rehearsing stopped.
Initially, everyone was delighted to hear that a company was offering free sponsorship for their costumes, as it would save them a considerable amount of money.
However, as they listened, they heard accusations of plagiarism, which was truly disgraceful.
With her usual temperament, Chen Lishu would have undoubtedly retorted angrily and without restraint. But now, as the general manager of a company, her every word and action represented the image of the company and brand, so she had to remain calm.
"Tsk," Li Lang, who had remained silent, suddenly scoffed.
"It's not a foregone conclusion yet. Who said the sponsorship would go to your company? Your company is called Xin Xin Apparel, right? I’ve never heard of it. Is a no-name company qualified to stir up trouble here? I trust my sister; she wouldn't engage in plagiarism."
Yang Lili's gaze shifted to Li Lang. Seeing his ordinary attire and his somewhat roguish demeanor, he didn’t appear to be a person of any significance. She retorted unceremoniously, "If Mr. hasn't heard of our company, I can only say that it's your own problem. Besides, I never said Lishu plagiarized. We are university classmates and good friends. I would be the last person to wish to see such a situation occur."
"Manager Yang, since you are magnanimous and don't mind, we have nothing more to say. Regarding the sponsorship, I think we should find a place to sit down and discuss it slowly. Director Zhao, please come with us as well."
As Deputy Director Zhang turned to leave, his words were interrupted by a female voice.
"Please wait a moment." Chen Lishu stepped forward. "Whether the sponsorship is successful or not is secondary. But one thing needs to be clarified: Shu Se Garment Factory has always adhered to original design. Plagiarism is absolutely impossible."
Seeing her persistence, Yang Lili advised, "Lishu, why are you making such a fuss? Neither of us has accused you of plagiarism. Since no one is pursuing the matter, let's just drop it. I approached Director Zhang about the sponsorship first, and I was acting according to my company's instructions. If you feel uncomfortable, I will try to introduce other opportunities to you in the future."
Chen Lishu let out a cold laugh. "I am in business, not begging. I will naturally pursue our personal grievances later. Now is the time to prove my company's innocence. If I don't clarify this publicly today, my brand will be tarnished with an unsavory reputation."
Deputy Director Zhang turned back, looking at her with slight impatience. "What do you want?"
He had no time to argue with her over a matter that was already clear.
Chen Lishu completely ignored Deputy Director Zhang and turned to Yang Lili. "Every piece of clothing design has its unique design concept. I wonder if Manager Yang can explain your clothing creation philosophy to everyone?"
Yang Lili's heart skipped a beat at her question, but she had not risen to her current managerial position without reason.
She quickly recovered and replied with a smile, "That's a designer's job. I'm not really sure about the specific design concepts."
Chen Lishu scoffed. "Then Manager Yang, your homework seems to be insufficient. For such an important program as the Spring Festival Gala, if you want to negotiate a collaboration, how can you persuade them to wear your provided clothing on stage without knowing the design intent? Is it enough that you offer free sponsorship? I don't think so. Even if Director Zhang agrees, Director Zhao and these actors won't, right?"