Yang Lili was left momentarily speechless by her words.
"Of course I know that. The costumes for the Spring Festival Gala should reflect joy and festivity."
Although Yang Lili was the manager of a garment company, her responsibilities lay in sales. Her opinions on design were merely superficial.
Chen Lishu: "Is that all?"
Meeting Chen Lishu's knowing gaze, Yang Lili felt a flush creep onto her face.
"The two gowns displayed today were personally designed by me. They utilize Chinese red, not only incorporating current popular elements but also traditional embroidery styles..."
Chen Lishu began to explain at a leisurely pace.
With each word she spoke, Director Zhao and the other actors' eyes lit up a little more, while Director Zhang and Yang Lili's expressions grew increasingly grim.
"I certainly don't possess the same on-the-spot adaptability as Director Chen. I heard your garment factory was only recently established, and you even act as a designer yourself. It's truly not easy to come up with so much in such a short time." Although Yang Lili's smile was somewhat forced, she was someone who had experienced big occasions, and her ability to adapt on the spot was not comparable to ordinary people.
The implication of her words was quite clear.
It was that Chen Lishu had plagiarized, yet was still stubbornly denying it and making a final struggle.
After hearing her words, Chen Lishu completely dropped her smile.
"Director Zhang, since you mentioned my designs are very similar to Manager Yang's, may I ask if I could see her design drafts?"
Deputy Director Zhang felt there was no harm in showing them; it would also serve to disabuse her of any notions.
"It's not easy for you to do business. I hope this matter can end here. Our television station will not pursue it further," Director Zhang said, handing the two sheets of paper in his hand to Chen Lishu.
Chen Lishu took them and couldn't help but laugh after a single glance.
"Sister, what are you laughing at?" Li Lang asked, confused.
Could she have been so angered that she laughed out of spite?
"It's alright. You are Ziyu's god-sister, so I naturally treat you like my own sister. As for a company with no established name, leave this matter to me, and you can rest assured."
Chen Lishu looked up, "Brother Lang, it's alright. I'm just laughing at how some people are too stupid to realize that by stealing someone else's manuscript, they ended up copying it entirely, not even making any changes. I really don't know whether to praise her for being smart or foolish."
Yang Lili's heart skipped a beat upon hearing her words, and her face turned very grim.
"What do you mean?"
Chen Lishu then displayed the design draft Deputy Director Zhang had given her to everyone present and pointed to a specific area, stating word by word, "When I was designing the costumes, to highlight the spirit of the New Year, I specifically designed butterfly patterns. And to make them easily recognizable, the butterflies are arranged in the shape of the letter 'S', the initial of my clothing brand, 'Shu'. I wonder how your Xin Xin Apparel managed to be so coincidental, designing with a completely unrelated name."
Faced with irrefutable evidence, no matter how eloquent Yang Lili was, everyone clearly understood who had plagiarized whose work.
Director Zhang's expression was also not good, but he did not change his mind.
"I believe there must be some misunderstanding here, but our television station will not cooperate with your factory," Deputy Director Zhang stated.
Chen Lishu frowned, "Why?"
Li Lang's temper flared as well, "Isn't it very clear now? It's obvious someone copied our design. You don't even agree to free clothing sponsorship, so what, are companies that steal from others so appealing?"
Deputy Director Zhang's face darkened, "Your designs are good, but you are a private enterprise. You should know the attitude from above towards private enterprises. If our television station openly cooperates with you and promotes it extensively, and if the higher-ups question it, who will be responsible, you?"
With that, Deputy Director Zhang began to dismiss them unceremoniously, "This is where we rehearse. Non-staff are not permitted to enter. Please leave first."
"Although the higher-ups don't encourage it, they haven't suppressed it either, Director Zhang you..." Chen Lishu wanted to argue further, but the other party waved his hand impatiently.
"Forget it, there's no point wasting words with him. Let's go." Li Lang pulled her and walked towards the exit.
"Haven't you realized? That deputy director must have received some benefit. Your classmate from the later years is really something, not only thick-skinned but also well-versed in business operations." Li Lang scoffed.
Mentioning Yang Lili, Chen Lishu's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
She was once such a gentle and resilient person. How had she become like this after such a short time apart?
In the face of profit, past friendships could become worthless.
"Never mind, don't be too upset. I originally thought the clothing sponsorship was a small matter, something that could be settled with a casual word to a friend. Leave this to me. You can go back and wait for news."
"If it's too much trouble, then forget it. I've already caused you a lot of inconvenience. I'll think of other ways if necessary."
Li Lang pulled at the corner of his mouth disdainfully, "What trouble? That Director Zhang, a mere deputy director, looks down on people so much. I think he's gotten too full of himself."
As the two were talking, Yang Lili walked out of the rehearsal room, looking at Chen Lishu with a complex gaze.
The two of them clearly came from the same background, both having attended university after coming from rural areas.
Yet, Chen Lishu was superior to her in every way, not only in studies and family background but also in her confidence.
Jiang Yuwei and Sun Ling's group were arrogant and could trample on her self-esteem.
For a few cents or even less, she had to try her best, while for some people, it was easily within reach.
For some reason, she had envied Chen Lishu countless times in the past, for her ability to confront them without fear, while she could only endure it silently.
She hated herself, so she was determined to succeed at any cost.
She had thought she had obtained everything she desired, but Chen Lishu's appearance had shattered the confidence she had just built.
Some people were born superior to others.
She had endured so much hardship, even abandoning her husband and child, and done many things against her principles and conscience to gain the position of manager today, yet Chen Lishu had already transformed into the general manager of her own garment factory.
Heaven was so unfair!
"Even if I weren't here today, other factories might have sponsored. Although you are already the general manager of a factory, private enterprises don't get much traction here. I know your company is facing a crisis. If you're willing, and given that we're classmates and friends, I can lend a hand."
As Yang Lili said the last sentence, her eyes grew brighter. This tone, this way of speaking, wasn't it exactly how Chen Lishu used to treat her?