"The M clasp from Star River—isn’t that also Ali’s? I rember during the competition two years ago, Ali specifically explained why she chose that M clasp. The M clasp has beco her personal signature style. Among industry designers, I’ve never seen anyone favor the M clasp like this. Ye Li’s entries this ti seem full of it."
"I knew it looked familiar! Finally figured out why! Isn’t it? It’s just like Ali."
"Well, that makes feel much better. I kept wondering how a newbie could be so impressive. Turns out it’s all borrowed work. Amazing, amazing..."
"..."
Voices of discussion filled the venue.
The judges on the stage also whispered to each other.
The busiest one was the interpreter sitting next to Panier, translating what Chen Jiayuan said from the audience and introducing who Ali was, while simultaneously pulling up Ali’s portfolio on the computer to show Panier, helping him clearly understand the current situation in the venue.
To the naked eye, Panier’s expression grew darker.
Even the host was stunned.
Despite their self-proclaid readiness for major events, at "Shining with You," the country’s largest jewelry design competition, having a finalist be exposed for borrowing another designer’s work since the preliminary round wasn’t just a scandal—this could go viral even before the contest ended.
What should be said?
Should they interrupt with a brief break, quickly have the organizers negotiate with the on-site dia to either gloss over the issue or cut this segnt entirely?
Or should they wait to see what the judges might say?
The host’s eyes darted back and forth between the organizers’ staff and the judges’ panel, while the audience continued their noisy chatter.
Sweat began to seep from the host’s wig piece atop his forehead.
From the audience, Chen Jiayuan was practically ready to burst into laughter.
Since the mont he raised his doubts, Ye Li hadn’t uttered a single word in rebuttal.
Could this an... she admitted to it?
If it had only been those nine judges, the organizers could’ve conferred with them directly and revoked Ye Li’s qualification on the spot to sweep the matter under the rug.
The organizers would undoubtedly also tip off the dia.
By then, there would be no talk of plagiarism scandals, nor would the official reputation of "Shining with You" suffer.
But now, it’s no longer that simple.
The jewelry design field was booming, and dostic designers were shining brighter than ever.
This year, the organizers went big, inviting top-tier international jewelry design master Panier all the way from Paris.
With Panier present, brushing things under the rug was impossible.
Otherwise, the disgrace would spread globally.
For the sake of national dignity, Ye Li had to face severe punishnt.
Ye Li, you’re done!
Weren’t you so full of yourself?
Weren’t you sharp enough to recognize that I borrowed Wan Mingyi’s Lovesickness?
All crows under the sky are black—how are you any better than ?
I only borrowed a tiny bit of inspiration, and I could still laugh to the end and possibly walk away with the champion’s trophy.
And you?
Not only are you out of this competition, but you might even be blacklisted by the Jewelry Association, banning you from future related events.
Tomorrow, you might even return to school only to receive disciplinary actions.
Forget about going global—you probably won’t even set foot outside Imperial University’s gates!
Hahaha...
Chen Jiayuan was nearly trembling from his laughter.
Through the microphone, the host’s voice sounded, "Ye Li, do you have anything to say to address the accusations?"
Ye Li slowly stood up.
"Indeed, I have used Ali’s design style."
As soon as Ye Li started speaking, Chen Jiayuan’s smug expression surfaced.
She looked utterly innocent as she said, "Because I am Ali. If there’s a trace or hint of Ali in my work, shouldn’t that be expected?"
???
The room plunged into dead silence.
The host stamred, voicing everyone’s disbelief, "You—you... are Ali?"
"Yes. I participated in the competition two years ago. The organizers should have my registration form and videos from the competition. Except for the finals and award ceremony, I attended all the rounds."
The sound of rapid keyboard typing filled the room.
Soon after, the screen flickered, showing photos and video clips.
On Ali’s registration form, the photo was undeniably Ye Li, her school information clearly listed as Imperial University’s Jewelry Design Departnt freshman.
In both the preliminaries and semifinals, the cara captured her slim figure sitting at the table marked with Yueran Studio’s naplate.
As everyone knew, Yueran Studio belonged to Imperial University’s Jewelry Design professor, Professor Zhao.
"Ye Li, why didn’t you compete under your Chinese na last ti?"
"When I was just a freshman, my professor suggested I step into a competition full of seasoned talents to broaden my horizons. But she worried that if I represented her studio and embarrassed myself, it might tarnish her studio’s reputation. So she had register using an English na."
Host: ...
Designers: !!! Is this a flex?
Monts earlier, the unbearable tension in the room dissipated entirely under the weight of the evidence displayed on the big screen.
The host let out a relieved sigh, "So, why didn’t you co to accept the award?"
Ye Li responded calmly, "My father was hospitalized at the ti, so I rushed to the hospital. My professor arranged for a designer from Yueran Studio to accept it on my behalf."
With that one sentence, comprehension dawned across the entire room, silencing all further questions.
Panier’s astonished exclamation of "Amazing!" echoed clearly in everyone’s ears.
They glanced at the overly young Ye Li standing below the stage.
Then back at the big screen, where the slightly green and tender face from the past stared back.
Panier’s expression was filled with shock: Freshman? Champion? Amazing!!!
In the crowd, Chen Jiayuan froze like a statue.
Ever since Ye Li casually uttered, "I am Ali," he had been falling apart inside.
As a standout student from Imperial University’s Jewelry Design departnt himself.
A student ntored by Professor Zhao before graduating.
After graduation, diving straight into jewelry design, pouring his heart into the field, only to end up losing to a freshman who had just stepped into Imperial University’s gates?
A voice rumbled in defiant rage: Impossible! She must’ve plagiarized! It can’t be such a coincidence!
A voice hissed in despairing defeat: It really is her!
After those two voices, a third, mockingly playful one chid in, light as air: Hey, isn’t this just sour grapes?
Sour grapes?
He hadn’t lost!
The contest wasn’t over yet.
Even if Ye Li hadn’t plagiarized, he wouldn’t give in until the final mont!
Chen Jiayuan sat back down, forcing himself to remain composed, flas igniting in his gaze.
Bam!
Suddenly, as if dozens of green stamps appeared in unison, the previously dark screen lit up.
Scores listed from highest to lowest; the nas of all 56 finalists cascaded down in order.
His eyes imdiately found the na at the very top, and Chen Jiayuan’s expression shifted drastically.
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