Shu Qingqing was taken aback for a moment; this was something she hadn't considered.
However, she didn't offer any words of condolence like "please accept my condolences," because the man Feng Xiangdi liked wasn't a good person. Not only had he caused Feng Xiangdi to miscarry twice, but he had also once slapped the original host.
Feng Xiangdi didn't want Qingqing's comfort either, as it was indeed her own poor judgment that led her to be with such a man.
"Qingqing, thank you for being willing to help me." Feng Xiangdi didn't want to trouble her former friend, but at this point... she had no other choice.
Qingqing immediately added the contact information for that director and arranged to meet her the next morning.
The next morning, Qingqing and Feng Xiangdi met punctually at the entrance of Fengshang.
The design director personally came down to receive them.
Once in the office, Qingqing got straight to the point and stated the purpose of her visit.
After listening, Design Director Gao Ran thought carefully before saying to Feng Xiangdi, "I remember you submitted design drafts to me. But since I said they were not up to standard and discarded them at the time, I definitely wouldn't have given them to other designers. I believe you are aware of my reputation throughout the entire fashion industry."
Feng Xiangdi bit her lip tightly. It was true; Gao Ran's reputation in the fashion circle was indeed excellent. She had nurtured countless well-known designers, and, being a designer herself, she deeply despised plagiarism.
Qingqing spoke up at the right moment: "Is it possible, Director Gao, that after you discarded the design drafts, someone else picked them up?"
Gao Ran visibly paused. "Mrs. Lu, now that you mention it, that is indeed a possibility. However, it's been so long since the incident, it's probably impossible to investigate now. I have so many designers under me..."
Qingqing interrupted her: "We only need to investigate Designer Li and those employees who have a close relationship with her."
Gao Ran forced a smile: "Mrs. Lu, are you implying that you suspect Designer Li of plagiarism?"
A faint smile touched Qingqing's lips: "No, it's a reasonable suspicion. I believe in my friend."
Gao Ran fell silent for a few seconds before finally nodding.
After personally seeing Qingqing and the other woman off, she immediately summoned Li Xuanyi.
"That gown for Su Yue half a year ago, you plagiarized it, didn't you?"
Li Xuanyi was stunned: "Director, why bring this up again so suddenly?"
Gao Ran angrily threw the pen in her hand: "I'd rather not bring it up! But today, Lu Bochuan's wife came with Feng Xiangdi, demanding I find the person who stole the draft!"
Li Xuanyi was even more confused. Of course she knew Lu Bochuan, but... "Lu Bochuan's wife... knows Feng Xiangdi?"
"Yes, and they seem to be on quite good terms. Li Xuanyi, you really know how to create problems for me." Back then, she had indeed discarded Feng Xiangdi's design drafts, but she only learned that the discarded drafts had been secretly picked up by Li Xuanyi after the plagiarism scandal broke out.
However, Li Xuanyi had just won an international design award and had become the company's star, while Feng Xiangdi had long been dismissed for being unqualified. As the head of the design department, she naturally had to protect Li Xuanyi.
She just never expected that, six months later, Feng Xiangdi would find such a powerful backer as Lu Bochuan's wife.
She had vaguely heard that Lu Bochuan and his wife didn't have a good relationship, but no matter how bad it was, they shared a child. If something really happened, wouldn't Lu Bochuan help his own wife?
Gao Ran looked coldly at Li Xuanyi: "You tell me yourself, how should this matter be resolved?"
Seeing that look in her eyes, Li Xuanyi panicked instantly: "Director... I only used Feng Xiangdi's design drafts for reference. I didn't plagiarize."
Gao Ran snorted coldly: "I've seen Feng Xiangdi's drafts. The one you designed for Su Yue is identical to Feng Xiangdi's in every way except for the neckline. And you're telling me that's not plagiarism?"
Li Xuanyi could no longer argue. Large tears fell from her eyes: "I'm sorry, Director. But... if I really admit to plagiarism, the company's image will suffer greatly!"
How could Gao Ran not have thought of that?
She pressed her fingers to her temples and, after a long while, said, "I will personally arrange a meeting with Feng Xiangdi for you. When the time comes, you'll say that you happened to see that design draft on my desk, which inspired you and later led to the creation of Su Yue's dress."
Hearing this, Li Xuanyi felt she could accept it and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Gao Ran continued—
"Also, you must apologize to Feng Xiangdi, saying you truly didn't know it was her design draft. Afterwards, give her one hundred thousand yuan as a token of gratitude, because her design draft gave you inspiration."
Li Xuanyi bit her lip: "But Director, I only received one hundred thousand for Su Yue's dress." Although she was a senior designer, half her earnings went to the company, leaving her with an annual income of only four to five hundred thousand.
"At a time like this, you're still worrying about this little money!" Gao Ran was so angry she slapped the table. "If this gets exposed, your career is finished, and you're begrudging this one hundred thousand!"
Li Xuanyi quickly lowered her head: "I was wrong, Director. I'll do as you say!"
The next afternoon, Gao Ran invited Qingqing out.
Her attitude was humble and full of remorse: "Mrs. Lu, after you left I immediately began investigating this matter. I had no idea until I looked into it, and now I feel terribly ashamed. It was primarily my fault. After Feng Xiangdi gave me the design draft, I didn't have time to look at it and carelessly left it on my desk. Because the draft wasn't signed, when Xuanyi inadvertently saw it in my office she assumed it was my design. Later, she used it as inspiration for Su Yue's dress."
"Mrs. Lu, this is my design draft." Li Xuanyi respectfully handed over a tablet.
Qingqing took it. The design draft on the tablet was timestamped and signed, and the tablet's own timestamp could prove Li Xuanyi's creation time.
Feng Xiangdi's original design draft, however, had no timestamp or signature. She had no solid evidence to prove she was the original creator.
This was also a major reason why Li Xuanyi refused to admit plagiarism.
Seeing that neither woman spoke, Gao Ran placed a bank card on the table: "Xiangdi, Xuanyi indeed found inspiration from your work, so you also contributed greatly to Su Yue's dress. This one hundred thousand is the fee for Su Yue's dress. To express gratitude, Xuanyi has decided to give all of it to you."
Feng Xiangdi's fists, resting on her knees, were clenched tightly.
Qingqing was also very displeased. She thought that using Lu Bochuan's name to apply pressure would make Gao Ran stop covering up, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.
Gao Ran revered Lu Bochuan, but at the same time she would put her own interests first. If the company's name became associated with plagiarism, it would become a laughingstock in the industry and be abandoned.
They didn't have strong, concrete evidence, so Gao Ran's approach was not entirely unreasonable.
Gao Ran asked, "Mrs. Lu, do you find this resolution satisfactory?"
Qingqing gave a faint smile: "It's not about whether I'm satisfied, but whether Feng Xiangdi is. However, she's not in a good state today, so I'll take her home first. We can discuss this matter later."
Gao Ran stood up to see them out: "Alright, Miss Feng can contact me anytime once she's made a decision."
Qingqing took Feng Xiangdi's hand and led her out.
The weather was unusually sultry today; a heavy rain was likely imminent.
After they stepped outside, Feng Xiangdi remained silent, just gazing into the distance.
Qingqing knew she was upset. "It's alright, don't lose heart. We'll find a way to clear your name."
Feng Xiangdi forced a smile and was about to speak when her phone rang. She answered it, and her face suddenly turned deathly pale. Then, she broke into a frantic run.
"What's wrong?" Qingqing hurried after her.
Feng Xiangdi's face was already streaked with tears: "Xiao You's asthma has flared up!"
