Chapter 63: Plagiarism Incident

Huacai Fashion Week was not affected by the Shen Shu case, and the preliminary round opened as scheduled.

As the nation's top fashion show and competition, Huacai Fashion Week attracted many professional studios and outstanding independent designers to enter.

Besides Yunsheng Studio, there were on Studio and last year's champion Floating Water Studio, plus the newly founded studios—everyone wanted a piece of the prize.

At this moment, judge Xie Zian lounged lazily in his seat, gazing faintly at the contestants before him, his eyes drifting with a dim, languid light.

As if reminiscing about something.

The preliminary round began quickly.

The preliminaries were contested through design drawings and runway shows.

Unlike ordinary shows, Huacai Fashion Week let each studio head draw lots for the order; five groups displayed simultaneously, which maximized schedule efficiency and minimized wasted time.

Xie Zian's expression remained indolently lazy as he flipped through the designs, looking utterly uninterested.

Yet when he saw Floating Water Studio's work, his expression changed abruptly!

This design drawing…

Could it be… really Lu Xiwán?

Is Lu Xiwán still alive?

Suppressing his emotions, Xie Zian asked, "Whose design is this from Floating Water Studio…?"

Hearing Xie Zian's question, a girl from the Floating Water crowd hurried forward, bit her lip and nodded, "Teacher Xie, this design is mine."

Li Yan's eyes fluttered, shyly looking at Xie Zian, her heart racing with excitement.

If she could gain Xie Zian's approval, she would skyrocket to fame!

However, Xie Zian's gaze fell on the girl, scrutinizing Li Yan closely, and disappointment gradually surfaced in his eyes.

It wasn't her…

Then this work…

Could this woman have plagiarized a design that belonged to her?

He hardened his face, about to question where Li Yan obtained the drawing, when a sudden gasp rose from the crowd.

"Duplicate work!"

Xie Zian looked up and saw on the electronic screen that another group from Yunsheng Studio's design was exactly identical to the one he held from Floating Water Studio!

"Is this blueprint exactly the same as Floating Water's!?"

"They must have copied Floating Water, huh? This time Yunsheng is in big trouble!"

"But how did Yunsheng know Floating Water's work? Maybe someone from Floating Water leaked it."

Seeing the crowd's chatter, the judging panel hurriedly questioned Yunsheng Studio:

"How could your studio's work be identical to Floating Water's!?"

Xie Zian's gaze also turned to Yunsheng Studio, and everyone waited for their answer.

A cold female voice rang out from the crowd: "You're probably asking the wrong person; you should ask how Floating Water's work became the same as mine!"

That voice oddly sounded familiar to Xie Zian.

Yet the woman wore a mask and hat, revealing only a pair of eyes, making her appearance indistinguishable.

Xie Zian felt a stir in his heart.

Yet after she finished, the whole venue erupted in a roar.

Her words essentially accused Li Yan of plagiarizing her work!

Li Yan's face flushed red, angrily retorting, "What nonsense are you spouting? Clearly it's your people from Yunsheng who copied my work!"

Arrogance flickered in her eyes, her posture proud and haughty.

"Floating Water was champion last year; why would we need to copy your design?"

Others also chimed in:

"Exactly, a champion would never plagiarize."

"No way, who can be better than Floating Water!"

"Last year they were champions, this year maybe not; some people run out of tricks, and stealing others' hard work is still possible," Xi Wan said slowly, lifting her eyes.

She looked at the work on the screen, a hint of emotion appearing in her eyes.

She hadn't expected that Luozhou would ultimately select this piece, which belonged to Lu Xiwán's work.

Xi Wan's remarks sparked discontent among the Floating Water crowd.

"What are you saying?"

"How can a plagiarist have the nerve to speak like that?"

"Exactly, we Li Yan would never plagiarize!"

The judges frowned and looked displeased at Yunsheng: "Xi Wan, what evidence do you have to prove this design was created by your own hand?"

"Since proof is required, the designer from Floating Water should present evidence together with us, to be fair."

Xi Wan calmly met the judges' gaze.