Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Not of the Same World Chapter 40 -40: Not of the Same World This turn of events had indeed been unexpected for Lin Zhiyi.

Song Wanqiu really stooped to any level to suppress her.

Who plagiarized whom? Song Wanqiu was clearer about that than anyone, and now she actually wanted to frame Lin Zhiyi for plagiarism.

The word “draw inspiration” was really well chosen.

Plus, the reporters reminded everyone that Lin Zhiyi had seen Song Wanqiu’s design draft in advance.

By admitting to drawing inspiration, she would essentially be admitting that Song Wanqiu was better than her, and so her competition entry also had to draw on Song Wanqiu’s work.

By not admitting to drawing inspiration, she would look like a stubborn dead duck, and her second place would seem dishonorable.

Song Wanqiu, on the side, played mediator, “Everyone, please don’t say such things. It’s an honor for me that Zhiyi drew inspiration from my work.”

Then she put on a heartbroken look, “However, I added the sun element to my work because I compare the sun to Third Young Master. It is his light that makes everything so wonderful. To have it simply drawn upon like this does upset me a little.”

Saying this, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, appearing very coy.

Some people started to make noises and took even more photos.

Gong Chen, however, remained cool and detached, showing no emotion.

The reporter hastily flattered, “If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t be happy. I use the sun, and you use star and moon; isn’t that clearly deliberate? It’s just too bad that Miss Song is so magnanimous, and some people are ungrateful and refuse to admit it.”

At this, Lin Zhiyi let out a light laugh, finding it quite laughable.

The reporter was a little uncertain and asked, “What are you laughing at?”

Lin Zhiyi said, “Do you know how many jewelers throughout history have used the sun, stars, and moon as themes? Then, may I ask which jeweler Miss Song is drawing inspiration from?”

The reporter was at a loss for words.

Song Wanqiu pursed her lips, reminding her, “Zhiyi, everyone is talking about this competition. Why are you bringing up something else?”

Upon hearing this, the reporter’s spirits rose, and he objected, “Right, in this competition, only the two of you used celestial themes. What’s wrong with me asking that?”

Lin Zhiyi stared at the two, calmly saying, “Since you think it’s a case of drawing inspiration, then tell me why didn’t I use sun and moon instead of star and moon?”

The reporter didn’t understand, “What do you mean?”

Lin Zhiyi looked up at the camera and spoke deliberately, “The sun belongs to the day, it never belongs to the night, let alone to the stars and moon — they’re not from the same world, so why should they be paired together?”

There was silence on the spot.

They weren’t from the same world, so there was no point in talking about inspiration.

Gong Chen turned his head to look at Lin Zhiyi, his eyes deep and dark, terrifyingly deep and chilling.

Lin Zhiyi clenched her fists to steady herself.

She threw the question back at Song Wanqiu, “Miss Song, the sun element in your jewelry is so minimal; is Third Young Master really so insignificant in your heart? That little bit of light can’t illuminate your everything. If you’re so in love with Third Young Master, shouldn’t the sun be the main focus?”

Lin Zhiyi tossed the question to Song Wanqiu.

The reporter’s cameras also pointed at Song Wanqiu.

“Right, Miss Song, if you also feel Lin Zhiyi has drawn inspiration from your work, why is there only so little of the sun element?”

“...”

Song Wanqiu opened her mouth but didn’t know how to respond.

Of course, she couldn’t come up with an answer, after all, it wasn’t her design concept.

Taking advantage of the reporters crowding around Song Wanqiu and Gong Chen, Lin Zhiyi turned and left.

That icy gaze followed her like a shadow.

...

Backstage.

Lin Zhiyi was packing up her things ready to leave.

Suddenly, a bunch of flowers appeared in front of her.

“Zhiyi, congratulations.”

Lin Zhiyi looked up to see the warm Gong Yan and couldn’t help but smile as she accepted the bouquet.

“Thank you, Big Brother.”

“I’ve made a reservation. Shall we go celebrate?”

“Sure.”

Lin Zhiyi nodded her head, quite hungry after the tough battle.

Gong Yan naturally took her bag as he smiled.

As Lin Zhiyi was looking down at the flowers, Gong Yan suddenly came close.

“Don’t move,” he said softly.

“What’s the matter?” Lin Zhiyi asked, confused.

“There’s a streamer in your hair, let me take it off.”

Gong Yan, taking the opportunity, stroked her hair, his fingers weaving through it, and his gaze shifting as he couldn’t help but lean in closer and sniff her hair.

Aware of Gong Yan’s approach, Lin Zhiyi’s face flushed red, and she quickly blocked her head with her hand.

“I, I forgot to wash my hair; it doesn’t smell weird, does it?”

Gong Yan chuckled softly, “No, it smells very nice.”

“Big brother, you really know how to joke,” Lin Zhiyi said, quite embarrassed.

“Let’s go, my car is at the side door.”

“Mm.”

Lin Zhiyi walked side by side with Gong Yan, subconsciously twirling her hair.

It was a small habit of hers.

One she did when she was shy.

Gong Chen watched the scene, his lips slightly pursed, his aura dark and frightening.

With a click, he turned his head and lit a cigarette, taking a deep breath before slowly turning around.

In the hallway, the event organizer’s person in charge knelt on the ground with his mouth covered by Chen Jin.

“Mmm, mmm, mmm... Third Young Master! I was wrong! I really was!”

Gong Chen walked up to him, exhaled a cloud of white smoke, and said coldly, “Didn’t I remind you before the contest to ensure fairness? Is this how you try to please me?”

The man nodded vigorously, only hoping that Gong Chen would spare him.

Gong Chen looked at the cigarette in his hand and pressed the burning ember directly into the man’s forehead.

The man rolled his eyes in pain.

Gong Chen walked past him without a second glance.

Outside the studio, Song Wanqiu ran towards Gong Chen amidst all the onlookers, her elegant gown making her look as beautiful and moving as a princess rushing toward her prince.

Many stopped to watch.

Among them was Lin Zhiyi, who looked on faintly from inside Gong Yan’s car at the scene of the prince and princess in love.

Gong Yan said with a smile, “I really didn’t expect my old uncle, who is so cold, to actually dote on a woman like that.”

“Yeah, I didn’t either.”

Lin Zhiyi nodded, looking down at her reddened fingers, unsure of what she was thinking.

Elsewhere.

Song Wanqiu hooked her arm in Gong Chen’s as they got into the car.

She had expected Gong Chen to compliment her, but after a short wait, she found that he was actually browsing through documents.

Song Wanqiu’s face turned pale, but she didn’t dare to question him, instead, tentatively presenting the trophy to Gong Chen.

She smiled with gentle affection, “Third Young Master, I’ve lived up to expectations, haven’t I?”

Gong Chen stretched out two long fingers and pushed the trophy away with force, “It’s blocking my documents.”

Song Wanqiu’s face turned white, and she struggled to recover her senses.

Until inadvertently looking up, a sense of panic filled her eyes.

Outside the car window on the street, the reporters who had harassed Lin Zhiyi were being beaten by a group of seemingly ordinary passersby.

The skill of the attackers made it clear they were no ordinary people.

The reporter screamed heartrendingly, “I dare not! I will never take money for doing such things again!”

Song Wanqiu’s heart trembled along with the screams.

At that moment, Gong Chen didn’t even lift his head as if everything outside the car window had nothing to do with him.

With a swish, he turned a page of the document.

The sound of the paper scraping was like a sharp blade cutting across Song Wanqiu’s heart, stroke by stroke.

Overcome with fear, her hand trembled and the trophy fell with a clatter, smashing the items it hit into pieces.

Reborn to Outshine My Ex and His White Moonlight Chapter 39 Group Photo Rebirth of a Village Girl Chapter 1123 - 286: Retribution, Recognizing Each Other_3 Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress Chapter 828 - 825: Prosperous Mountains and Rivers Staring fixedly at the ground, she saw her jewelry piece, which had been placed on the car floor at some point, crashing hard against the crystal trophy.

Shattered beyond recognition of its original form.

Just like Lin Zhiyi’s sample that had been smashed.

Song Wanqiu stared blankly at the debris on the ground.

Soon after, the car stopped by the roadside.

Gong Chen got out and said coldly as he closed the door, “Before you get out, clean up the trash.”

...

Backstage bathroom.

Shen Yan’s face was pale as she clutched her stomach and slowly stood up.

Her legs went soft and numb, and with a thud, she collapsed again, landing right in her own excrement.

“Ah! Ah! Ah!”